Did God Hate Esau?

WHAT DID JESUS MEAN REGARDING HATING OUR FATHER AND MOTHER?

Scripture notes God loved Jacob, but “hated” Esau (Malachi 1:3).

Scripture also notes God blessed Esau greatly (Genesis 33:9). God even warned the Israelites not to attack the sons of Esau at the risk of the withdrawal of His protection (Deuteronomy 2:4-6).

God loved Jacob with a covenant love which was a different kind of love shown to Esau. God knows a person’s heart, and He knew Jacobs’ heart was more committed to Him than that of Esau.

An understanding is found in the Hebrew word “soneh” translated “hate.” It is a relative term meaning to love something or someone in a different way as another is loved. It is not a word with the same meaning as good old fashioned modern day hate. 

The meaning is He loved Jacob, but He loved Esau in a different way.

This is the meaning of the word Jesus used in speaking of those who follow Him must “hate” their father and mother, and follow Him. It does not mean to have old fashioned hate. Jesus is also using a relative term meaning love for others is of a lesser degree than love for Him.

It teaches Jesus should be the object of our primary love without rivalry. When He is our love for father and mother is greater than otherwise.

The meaning of the words for hate have changed since the original words were translated from Latin into English.

Not only does God love Esau, He loves us also. The question is do we love Him.

Has God Just Busted Our Britches?

Johnny Cash told me he was asked to do a big benefit at which the First Lady Mamie Eisenhower would be in attendance. He had a new tight fitting suit made with dangles and spangles all over it. On stage before he could hit the first note he dropped his guitar pick. When he squatted to pick it up he heard a rip in the crotch. He did a number and stormed off stage. In the dressing room he tore off the suit, threw it on the floor, and screamed as he jumped up and down on it. June started laughing uncontrollably. He asked what was so funny.

She said, ”You have the number one song, just starred in a movie, got your own TV program, and God done busted yo britches.”

She knew he needed to be humbled in order to get right with God.

To say God might have just allowed the busting of our national britches is a crude, but understandable way of putting it.

We have told Him we don’t need Him in our schools, courts, and society.

Could it be God is saying what you are experiencing is what life is like without Me when things don’t go well? Now humble yourselves, and pray, and seek my face and I will show you a way out and what life can be like. He will sew up our britches. Crude but true.

Equal vs Equivalence

Sometimes two words have very little difference, but that little difference makes a big difference. Two such words are equal and equivalent. 

Much is said about equality in our society. Many things said to be equal are not, but they are equivalent. Consider the difference.

Equality is a noun, the plural of which is equalities. It means the state or quality of being equal in quality, degree, value, rank, or ability.

Equivalent, is an adjective which means to be of equal value, measure, force, effect, or significance. It means equal to, but not the same as.

Equivalence means the value is the same. For example 4 is equal to 4, but 4 is not equal to 8/2 although it is equivalent. The difference between equality and equivalence is that when you say that two things are equal you are saying they are the same or that there is no difference between them.

Equality means the type and the value are the same, while equivalence means that while the types are not the same, the value is the same.

To say some things are equivalent is to indicate they are of the same worth, value, class and dignity, but not identical.

Equivalent things are not equal because they are not identical, but they are of the same value, worth, class, and dignity.

When two things are the same in some specific way, but not identical, they are said to be equivalent.

Two propositions are equivalent only if they mean the same thing. Two is less than four means the same thing as four is greater than two, although the two expressions aren’t equal, identical, that is.

Move Mountains

“…if you say to this mountain, ‘Be cast into the sea, it will be done.”

The meaning of this expression is more meaningful than if it were literally true. “Mountain” in the Bible era was often a popular figure of speech for any insurmountable problem. Jesus is saying God can solve any problem.

“The phrase about removing mountains was a quite common Jewish phrase. It was a regular, vivid phrase for removing difficulties.” (Barclay)

Unresolved issues and difficult problems were figuratively spoken of as a “mountain.” Persons with the capacity to resolve issues and solve problems were called “mountain-removers.” Jesus was teaching that prayer is the means of solving that which seems unresolvable. 

This promise of God’s answer to the prayer made in faith is made to disciples, not to the multitude. “Nor should we interpret Mark 11:24 to mean, ‘If you pray hard enough and really believe, God is obligated to answer your prayer no matter what you ask.’ That kind of faith is not faith in God; rather it is nothing but faith in faith, or faith in feelings,” wrote Wiersbe.

Christians need to be cautious how their faith in God is expressed. To simply pray about a thing and then declare God is going to do it can be confusing to some.. To say, “God is going to do a certain thing” in the mind of the unbeliever obligates God.  It is better to say, “My God is able. I trust Him with the result.”

The Old Testament account of the Hebrew children being put in the fiery furnace is an example. They did not say, “God is going to deliver us.” They said, “Our God is able to deliver us.” They trusted God and relied upon His will. It is not that we trust God to do it, but rather that we trust God (period). We trust God to do what His loving will determines is best.

Our asking must be according to the many qualifications noted in Scripture.

Two or Three Agreeing In Prayer

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)

This verse is not to be understood in isolation. Alone it has been broadly misunderstood to mean all one has to do is get someone to agree on a topic of prayer and God has obligated Himself to fulfill the request. It must be applied in the context of the several conditions for prayer.

For example, all prayers must be in accord with James 5:16 which states, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

 Following are things that keep prayers from being effectual and are unanswered.

*Selfishness
“You ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3).

*Carnality

*Failure to exercise faith.
“Whatever you ask in prayer believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22).
”If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).

*Lack of Compassion
“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard” (Proverbs 21:12).

*Lack of Domestic Tranquility
“Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding, give honor to your wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (I Peter 3:7c).

*Pride
“They cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men” (Job 35:12-13).
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

*Lack of Obedience
“Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (I John 3:22).

*Failure to be in Fellowship
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

*Failure to Comply With God’s Will
“If we ask anything according to His will He hears us” (I John 5:14-15).

It is important to know every reason for God not answering prayer affirmatively is on our end of the line. Don’t accuse Him of failure.

You might find it helpful to keep this list and check your prayer life by it occasionally.