Scripture to Read: Genesis 27:30–46
In Genesis 27:30–35, we read that after Jacob received the blessing from his father, Isaac, Esau returned from hunting. Esau was hit with the reality that Isaac had already blessed Jacob. Esau was furious and complained that Jacob had stolen his blessing and birthright. But Esau was the one who had willingly given up his birthright to Jacob for a simple pot of stew. Esau demanded a blessing from his father, Isaac. Instead, what Isaac gave Esau was a prophecy from God revealing that there would be opposition between him and Jacob, as recorded in Genesis 27:40, “By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother.” Isaac ended the prophecy by saying, “But it shall come about when you become restless, that you will break his yoke from your neck.” So, Esau would eventually break free of his service to his brother. In Genesis 27:41, Esau’s anger was so intense that he wanted to kill Jacob. In Genesis 27:42–46, we see that Rebekah heard of Esau’s plan to kill Jacob, and so, she planned to send Jacob to her brother Laban’s so he would not be killed. Sin always results in destruction and death. God had James declare it this way in James 4:1–2, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel…” Fleshy desires and decisions never end well.
Challenge & Application
Why must we guard our hearts from getting caught up in seeking to fulfill our fleshly desires?
How have you seen fleshly decisions bring destruction to your own life or to others’ lives?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!