Taking God for Granted?

How crisp, how fresh, how invigorating, is your relationship with God these days?  On the other hand, how often have we treated our relationship with Him with a yawn? 

There is a story in Genesis about a man who was just that indifferent.  He treated his heritage and his responsibility to his family with a yawn.  His name was Esau.  We first read about Esau in Genesis 25, starting in verse 21 (Genesis 25:21-34).  Esau is the twin brother of Jacob.  He is born first, with Jacob literally on his heels.  Jacob comes out of the womb grasping Esau’s heel!  We read that they “struggled” in the womb, but the Hebrew word here is more forceful.  The Hebrew word, rah-tsahts, literally says, they “crushed, they thrust, they jostled one another,” foretelling what their lives, and the lives of their descendants, would be like.

As the story continues, we see how different each brother is: Esau is a hunter, and Jacob, a tent dweller who most likely tends sheep and goats.  The two could hardly have more incompatible vocations.  One day, when Esau comes back from hunting, exhausted and famished, he begs Jacob for some of the stew that Jacob is cooking.  As they probably have been continuing the struggle (jostling) that started in the womb, Jacob seizes the opportunity to gain the upper hand:  He barters the stew for Esau’s birthright.  And the bartered agreement is sealed with an oath!  Now in those days, that birthright was the right of the first-born son to succeed his father in authority and responsibility for the entire family, the entire clan.

This begs questions!  Is Esau really so hungry, so exhausted, that he is not thinking clearly?  That’s possible!  But, what happens next?  After Esau is satisfied, after he is revived and nourished, he just walks away!  Why doesn’t he pause and reflect; “What have I just done to myself?  Is there any way to regain my birthright?”  No!  He just goes on his way.  Esau shows no remorse, no guilt, no shame. He sells his birthright for a bowl of lentils.  He takes his inheritance so lightly that it becomes something to barter.  The Bible, the Text, as the sages would say, says that Esau “despised” his birthright.  He didn’t honor his family.  He didn’t honor God.

Later, in the life of the people of Israel, the prophet Malachi hints to the Esau story as he admonishes Israel.  The Israelites are taking God’s Instructions so lightly that they substitute flawed, blemished animals for ones without blemish in their sacrifices.  And, the priests are allowing it!  The people are treating God’s Commandments, His Instructions concerning redemption and showing Him thankfulness, with such callousness that it’s described as “despising” the altar and “profaning” the offerings. (Malachi 1:1-2:8)   The Israelites are worshipping God with a yawn.  In today’s terms, that kind of indifference is the same as “blowing Him off!”

So how does that relate to us, today?  The writer of Hebrews recalls the Esau incident as a way of reminding us how we are to live, and, the results of callousness, carelessness and indifference. (Hebrews 12:14-17)  After walking through the “Hall of Faithfulness” in Hebrews 11, we are brought to Hebrews 12, “How now shall we live?”  What a journey!  What a target!

Take God for granted?  Serve Him with a yawn?  Blow Him off?  Not a very promising future.  Instead: “Since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; . . ,” Hebrews 12:28.

What’s acceptable?  Nothing less than our best!  Sh’ma!  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might! (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Shalom Uvrakhah*¹ (Peace and Blessing)

*Shah-lohm Oov-rah-khah

¹“kh” is a distinct sound.  Imagine the sound of forcing phlegm from your throat.