Be at Peace

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 25:19-28 (NRSV)

Rebekah bears Jacob and Esau

These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is to be this way, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her,
"Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples born of you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the elder shall serve the younger."

When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

DEVOTION

I don’t know about you, but I truly feel for Rebekah after reading this scripture! Pregnancy is supposed to be the happiest of times. For many pregnant women, we look forward to the great promise and excitement that a baby brings!

But, whilst most women were knitting booties and choosing names, Rebekah’s insides were being torn asunder as her two little boys warred within her!

God described this unusual situation by saying, “"Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger."

Now this sounds like a highly unusual situation, but in reality it is not. For the human family is continually torn asunder and at war with one another.

The reality of sin means that we hurt each other, we say mean things, and we destroy and kill one another over the smallest of infractions.

It is a terrible situation and one that we are unable to solve by ourselves.

But, thanks be to God, that God made provision for our salvation from hatred and sin. God loves us so much that God sent LOVE into the world one CHRISTmas morn to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

CHRISTmas is all about new beginnings. It is the great “do over.” It is all about God rescuing and ransoming us from our warring, fighting, and hating of the very people we should love most.

As we allow the CHRISTmas spirit to take root in our lives this week, I wonder if there are people that we need to make peace with?

When the angel heralded Jesus’ birth, it said, “Peace on Earth and good will toward all people!”

That declaration is ringing in the air even now and is being fulfilled on a daily basis.

Is there someone to whom you need to extend the peace and good will of Christ?

Let us pray:

God, I have been “at war” with those I love. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will have the boldness and humility to make peace and extend good will in this holy day season. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html