Anglican Devotional 2 August 2024 | United Or Divided?

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The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1 August 2024 | United Or Divided?

TOPIC: United Or Divided?

READ: Genesis 27:14-29 (NKJV)

And he went and got [them] and brought [them] to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved.
Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which [were] with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.
Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
So he went to his father and said, “My father.’ And he said, “Here I am. Who [are] you, my son?”
Jacob said to his father, “I [am] Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”
But Isaac said to his son, “How [is it] that you have found [it] so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the LORD your God brought [it] to me.”
Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you [are] really my son Esau or not.”
So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice [is] Jacob’s voice, but the hands [are] the hands of Esau.”
And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him.
Then he said, “[Are] you really my son Esau?” He said, “I [am.”]
He said, “Bring [it] near to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, so that my soul may bless you.” So he brought [it] near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.
Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near now and kiss me, my son.”
And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said: “Surely, the smell of my son [Is] like the smell of a field Which the LORD has blessed.
Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine.
Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed [be] everyone who curses you, And blessed [be] those who bless you!”
THE MESSAGE:

It is interesting to note the different schemes employed by Rebecca to have her second son, Jacob, blessed instead of Esau. It is equally dramatic that Isaac did not ensure it was Esau who actually received his blessings instead of Jacob. Husbands and their wives are supposed to give their children equal love. But the affections of Jacob and Rebecca were already divided and lopsided (Genesis 25: 28) and pathetically, for selfish reasons.

Even when affectionate to a particular child for any reason, this should not affect the love parents show to other children in any form, neither should it affect their desire for them to prosper equally. Failure to manage these tendencies usually turn one child against the other (Genesis 27: 41). Again, parents and their families should be united in love, purpose and pursuits. A house divided against itself cannot stand (Luke 11: 17).

Parents must first be united in all things and pass this trait to their children. The Scriptures acknowledge that this is good and pleasant for the Lord pours out his blessing upon the family that lives in unity (Psa.133).As a: parent, do you show equal love to all your children? Ask yourself!

PRAYER: Lord, may you bind our families together in love, unity and purpose in Jesus’ Name.