God’s viewpoint
Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice,”
Esau’s point of view
Bitterness is filled with pain, unpleasant emotions.
Esau expected to be blessed with the best blessings, even though Jacob, his younger twin, received that blessing through deception. [See Genesis 25:23]
Esau came in from hunting, fixed a favorite dish of Isaac’s, and took it to him. Esau was fully expecting great things.
Isaac asked Esau, Who are you? Why I am your son, your firstborn son, Esau! Isaac knew he had been deceived by Jacob, the younger son. Isaac told Esau what happened shortly before, that he had blessed Jacob with the first born blessing. Part of the blessing included “Be the master of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.” Genesis 27:27-29
Esau reacted! “he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry”, he said to his father, ‘Bless me too!’ Isaac was honest and said, I can’t do that, I gave the blessing to Jacob, it is irrevocable. “Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.” Genesis 27:35
Esau was bitter! Esau was filled with pain. Esau blamed Jacob for taking away Esau’s birthright (Esau had given it up for a bowl of stew to Jacob Genesis 26:27-34).
Esau bore a grudge and that is NEVER good. Do you bear grudges?
Esau said, after my father, Isaac, dies, “I will kill my brother Jacob.” Genesis 27:41
Again, Rebekah (mother of Esau and Jacob) heard of his bitter threat and told Jacob he had to run to her brother Laban, far away. Stay there for a few days until Esau’s fury and anger against you quiets down and he forgets what you did to him. [Ahem, did you notice Rebekah did not take responsibility for her words and actions in this mess?]
Bitterness is always messy! Bitterness was caused by Rebekah and Jacob’s deceitfulness.
Rebekah’s solution
Rebekah told Isaac honestly, that Jacob needed to find a wife. And she certainly didn’t want him to marry as Esau did, wives from the daughters of the land in which they were living.
Genesis 27:41-46
God’s Word ~ Alive
God’s solution to bitterness:
Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,
along with all malice,
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each
other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Are you bitter? Pray to ask God to deal with any bitterness in your life.