1 Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. 2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; 3 and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
Though the point of our study is to learn lessons from Jacob’s life and leadership, a quick glance at, his brother, Esau’s path seems important. We know little about Esau’s life journey, except at points where it intersects his brother, but it seems clear that he had made quite a life among the Canaanites.
But Esau’s life is characterized by separation from his family. After Jacob stole his paternal blessing, Esau had little reason to stay. Jacob lived within the world of his family, working for his uncle and marrying from among his people. Esau didn’t. Though he reconciled with his brother and seems to be a part of things at his father’s funeral, his life was spent pursuing connection to others.
Family matters. Like Esau, you may have reasons for separating yourself from your family. There may be causes that justify disconnecting from a family member or two, but somehow we seem to need a family connection to really have the healthy life we want.
Often broken relationships find some peace when death forces a family together, but there’s no guarantee that even such intense emotional times will bring change. Someone has to be intentional—to want healing even when others don’t. If there’s brokenness in your family, don’t wait any longer. Esau reached out to Jacob and ultimately found the peace he had likely needed for years. Perhaps you can do the same.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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