Taking the High Road

Jacob has managed to acquire the birthright, the blessing … and a brother who’s planning to kill him. Hearing about Esau’s vengeful intentions, Rebekah warns Jacob, urging him to escape to her hometown and find safety in the home of her brother, Laban:

When he’s no longer angry and forgets what you did? WHAT?!

Could Esau experience a change of heart, find the courage to forgive, and denounce that violent fury one day? Maybe. But forget?

Some wounds time doesn’t heal.

I puzzled over Rebekah’s words, wondering what lay behind them. Was she really that optimistic? Maybe I’m too cynical, but I couldn’t imagine it ever being safe for Jacob to return.

I wondered if maybe Rebekah, deep down, knew that too but couldn’t face the prospect of a permanent goodbye to the son she loved so much. Maybe those brave words, even if not realistic, helped her avoid - or at least soften - a reality she couldn't bear to admit.

Now you may be thinking, “But they DID reunite!”

If so, you’re exactly right; I am too cynical. (But that’s a story for later!) For now, what’s done is done. Rebekah and Jacob have tricked Isaac and put Jacob’s life in danger from an enraged Esau. Now they need Isaac’s help … and Rebekah has the audacity to ask for it.

Clever Rebekah. She doesn’t approach her deceived husband and say, “Jacob needs protection because Esau’s out to kill him.” No, she falls back on those Hittite wives of Esau:

Disgusted with living? Wow!

I can appreciate Rebekah’s choice to focus on Jacob’s marital options rather than his endangerment. After all, he was in this mess for a reason. Plus … Isaac wasn’t thrilled with those Hittite daughters-in-law himself.

That said, was it necessary to be so “sensational?”

At any rate, and for whatever reason, it’s the strategy Rebekah chose.

Does anybody else automatically beat an inner retreat when “discussions” start feeling like dramas? I don’t know if Isaac felt as put off by Rebekah’s “emotional outpouring” as I do, but if he did, he was wise enough to focus on the issue and not the emotion.

And he continues …

Despite all that has transpired, Isaac BLESSES Jacob and sends him off to Uncle Laban’s.

In his situation, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have behaved so well.

First of all, I’m sure I’d have been resistant with Rebekah. Not because I disagreed with her concerns but her approach. I’d have reacted stubbornly to the “hysteria” and ended up creating an argument rather than solving a problem.

Secondly, I’d have probably been resentful with Jacob. Too bitter and too proud to bless someone who had exploited, lied to, and manipulated me, I might have missed a chance to let grace win.

Isaac could have been petty; he could have been proud. Thankfully, he decided to move toward healing. It wasn’t the first time.

Remember those jealous Philistines in Genesis 26 and all the trouble they caused over the wells?

Life offers plenty of reasons to be bitter. We can rationalize our resentment or we can rise above it.

(See Fascinated Not Frustrated)

Isaac could have insisted on his “right to be bitter,” but what good is a right that does nothing other than destroy from the inside out?

I’m glad Isaac was focused on the best way to move forward instead of the most gratifying way to avenge past hurts.

I admire him for setting his eyes on new blessings. The next time I’m tempted to be petty and resentful, I’m going to do the same!

Speaking of new blessings, Jacob, as instructed by his father, sets out and is off to find some of his own. Up next: A Wife (or 2) for Jacob.

Until then, here’s to taking the high road! Kim