Here is an encouragement that went out via alphanumeric page to some brothers and sisters in one location in the US, sent from a sister in another location, and which has probably subsequently spread to thousands more believers all over the world. I’m spreading it further now. :-)
I think these thoughts are just tremendous and the implications are far reaching. Certainly the things written in the “Old Testament” were “for our learning” as the Hebrews writer wrote. They are certainly intended to be more than mere “Bible stories.” Here’s something “more” as far as the life of Esau is concerned. I was really convicted by this:
Esau lived by the moment, and by what his flesh wanted. His desire for larger Issues was too weak and undeveloped to give him the needed strength to CHANGE. He died in his sin, for lack of cultivating a strong desire for the Right things, and yielding to his flesh moment by moment. He was a slave to foolish, wasteful, pathetic self-centeredness. He was not a “victim.” He arrogantly did what pleased him, with little sacrifice and little effort in cultivating a larger vision than his self-absorbed moment.
Cultivate Desire for what pleases Jesus, and live for that larger Picture!
“WE make it our undying passion to PLEASE HIM.”
“Without Vision, the people perish, throw off restraint, self-sacrifice.”
Cultivate DESIRE! Feed your spirit in time at His feet, and the Throne and the Cross. CULTIVATE your thoughts and vision in intimate “all things intertwined” (koinonia) with Him and those in whom He lives. And, you shall LIVE, and you shall Grow “from glory to Glory!”
Walk your talk!!
(bold emphasis mine)
I think sometimes we think that just because someone was mentioned in the Bible as an OT character, they were “okay.” “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” is not a good thing. There is something to be learned from and seriously contemplated about an “Esau type of life.” I thought the alphanumeric page was just tremendous.
