Esau hated Jacob

Bible Reading: Genesis 27-29

Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him:and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Hatred between brothers is a terrible thing. In the case of Jacob and Esau it was a vying for position with their father. Esau as firstborn should have received the blessing and the birthright. However, God had different plans. Jacob and Rebekah had used subtlety and deception to gain for Jacob the blessing.

What about you? Do you love your brothers and sisters? Or is there a root of bitterness over some wrong done?

Hatred among brothers goes back to the very first two brothers in history.

Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother:and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

The hatred in Cain's heart became murder in his hand.

1 John 3:11-12 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

Esau and Jacob like Cain and Able had a terrible sibling rivalry. Jealousy and a desire to be pleasing to parents and God drove their decisions. Be very careful in your dealings with your brothers and sisters. Jesus tells us that murder begins in the heart. If you have allowed bitterness and hatred to grow, it can manifest in all manner of sinful ways.

Instead, allow the forgiveness of God to flow to them and be loving in your dealings with your siblings.


In Christ,
Rody