Sunday Morning Series - Give God Something to Work With - Do I Have That?

Text:  Genesis 32 - 33

Before we get into the main part of the message, we need a little background. Isaac and Rebecca married when he was 40 years old. Twenty years later, Rebecca finally gets pregnant. The babies are wrestling within her, and she goes before the Lord. He shows her that there are two nations within her, and the older shall serve the younger.

When we struggles in life, we can  come out having built up our faith, patience, strength, and hope OR we can come out with a bad attitude. Isaac love Esau because he was a hunter and brought him meat. His love was based on his son's performance. Jacob, on the other hand, was loved by Rachel simply for himself.

At 40, Esau takes two wives from among the Hittites. These women cause Isaac and Rebecca a lot of grief. When he realizes his choices displease his parents, he takes a third wife from the Ishmaelites because they're related. He does so not based on a principle of what is right, but in hope of gaining favor. He's learned from his father that favorable actions produce favorable responses and vice versa.

When Isaac is tricked into giving Jacob the birthright, Esau pleads with him. However, Isaac says that everything was given to him. He ignored the word Rebecca got about the boys, and made no provision for Jacob. Esau is furious, and gets a bad attitude. His mother hears about his plans to kill Jacob once Isaac is dead, and sends Jacob to her family.

Years later, Jacob returns with his wives, children, and servants. Knowing his brother's attitude toward him makes him fearful. When messengers come and report that Esau is coming with 400 men, he's more than afraid. He's terrified. He divides the company up, putting the least favored family members up front and his beloved Rachel and Joseph in the rear.

When Esau approaches, Jacob sends many gifts. It's unnecessary, however, because Esau's attitude has changed. He's no longer holding a grudge, and reunites with his brother.

Our attitudes toward people (friends, foes, and others), places, situation, jobs, God, and life in general are not inborn, given to, or conferred upon us. We develop them with our thoughts, meditations, and the words we speak. Bad attitudes are easy to form and must be resisted to keep them from taking root.

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If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. Our telephone number is (215) 343-7686. We look forward to meeting you!