Life Lessons: Forgiving Others Genesis 25:19-34

Life Lessons: Forgiving Others

Genesis 25:19-34

SITUATION:  Rebekah gave birth to Jacob and Esau. Before they were even born, the boys were hostile to each other. Conflict between the two intensified throughout their lives. Eventually Esau threatened to kill Jacob.

OBSERVATION:  When Esau sold his rights as the firstborn son to Jacob for a bowl of vegetable soup, further dissension grew up between the brothers. Jacob later stole Esau’s last remaining firstborn privilege: the blessing.

INSPIRATION:  Anger. It’s easy to define: the noise of the soul. Anger. The unseen irritant of the heart. Anger. The relentless invader of silence. . . .

     The louder it gets the more desperate we become. . . .

     Some of you are thinking, Easy for you to say, Max, sitting there in your office . . . You ought to try living with my wife. Or, You ought to have to cope with my past. Or, You ought to raise my kids. You don’t know how my ex has mistreated me. You don’t have any idea how hard my life has been. And you’re right, I don’t. but I have a very clear idea how miserable your future will be unless you deal with your anger.

     X-ray the world of the vengeful and behold the tumor of bitterness: black, menacing, malignant. Carcinoma of the spirit. Its fatal fibers creep around the edge of the heart and ravage it. Yesterday you can’t alter, but your reaction to yesterday you can. The past you cannot change, but your response to your past you can.

APPLICATION:  Anger. Does it describe how you react? Do you have a reputation for your temper? For your grudge? Are you known for desiring revenge? Ask God to help you change your response to past hurts.

EXPLORATION:  Forgiving Others:  Genesis 33:1-11; 45:5-15; 50:15-21; 1 Samuel 24:8-12; 26; Luke 23:33-34; Acts 7:59-60; 2 Timothy 4:16.