The Dysfunctional Family

"One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. 30Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)31“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” 32“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” 33But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob"   Genesis 25: 29-33   NLT

There was a parenting problem within the household because Issac loved Esau better than Jacob because he brought Issac tasty red meat which they ate together. However, Issac's wife, Rebekah, had Jacob as her favourite. This led to divided loyalties. This was a trait within the family and, Jacob would choose to act in the same way in his own family in future years, with favouring Joseph. This is something that parents should always avoid. Favouritism can lead to jealousy and deceit within the family and causes individuals psychological hang-ups in later life.

As the twins grew up, Esau, the hunter, would be out capturing game which he brought back home. Jacob on the other hand had a quiet temperament and liked to stay at home most of the time. This was the scene one day. Esau was out on a hunt and Jacob was cooking some very tasty red stew. When Esau returned home, the aroma of the food captured him and he asked Jacob if he could have some because he was starving. Jacob, being devious, told him he could have some if, he traded his birthright for the food. Esau replied, 'Look, I'm dying of starvation; what good is my birthright to me now?' Jacob insisted that Esau swear that the birthright was his and He would have the whole of the rights as the first born son. Unbelievably, Esau agreed and for a pot of stew gave Jacob the rights to this inheritance.

Esau had acted on impulse after smelling the stew and wanted instant satisfaction. He never considered the future consequences this would cause, he just acted on impulse. We, like Esau, can fall into a similar trap when we see something and want it no matter what the cost. If we do, it can be very satisfying. However, the satisfaction can turn into regret, guilt, heartache and total devastation when the satisfaction has worn off and we come to our senses.

Be very careful in this area. Things can be very tempting and, when we are hooked, we hardly ever count the cost, until the yearning has worn off and we are faced with 

reality. This could be sexual temptation but, not always. The yearning for something can come in all shapes and sizes, especially when you are led on by someone who is very persuasive. 

A lot of this behaviour, had been forced upon each of them because of inadequate parenting. When kids know the boundaries and parents stick to them, whatever may happen; a harmony is developed and each party know the rules of the home.

Bottom line? Keep you family protected by regular prayer and advice.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2