34 When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
Sometimes children do things that leave a bitter taste in their parent’s spirits. If you remember Esau was the twin brother of Isaac. From before birth his parents knew that, even though he was the firstborn son, his twin brother would end up on top. Down through the years he made choices that demonstrated the validity of the message they had received from God. No parent wants their children to make bad choices. No parent enjoys it when their children do things specifically to demonstrate their rebellion against them. It might be the piercing done behind their back. Or maybe the tattoo or smoking or drinking. It might be the online relationship that has turned sexual. For Esau it was marrying foreign women, women from their enemies, women who didn’t have the same faith in the same God. This would be hard for me also, to have my child make such a big choice as a way to get back at me. I would rather have them throw some mud in my face. This kind of choice would hurt for years. My father’s brother made these kinds of choices over 70 years ago. He chose a lifestyle that was contrary to my grandfather’s calling as a minister. He made the choice in order to make his father angry at him. As an example, he would come and smoke and drink right in his father’s presence because his father didn’t believe in smoking and drinking. By the way, that portion of the family tree has lived in rebellion to this day. The pain his choices caused my Grandfather was great. His heart was broken. His choices also caused a rift between the three sons which existed until death. Esau’s choice of wives put a bitter taste in his parent’s spirits. Have you made choices that negatively affected your parent’s spirit? Your children’s? Maybe it is time to pray and seek ways to make it right.
The Arnold Journey 