The Great Struggle Within

The other morning upon waking, I found my heart musing on the story of Rebecca in Genesis 25.  After being barren for about 20 years she had finally conceived, but "the children struggled together within her."  This was not a normal kind of movement because the Hebrew word brings out the meaning of "to crack in pieces, to crush, bruise, oppress."  And in fact, the mother asked, "If all is well, why am I like this?"...and she went to the LORD.   HE spoke to her, to say, "Two nations...two  peoples shall be separated from your body, one shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger."

As Esau, the first one grew, he was stronger; and because he loved hunting his red meat he was later called Edom (red).  Jacob, the younger one spent his time more 'in the house' as his mother's favorite. Likely she pondered the prophecy given by the Lord.  In those days, the firstborn was to get a double portion of blessing BUT one day when Esau was pressed with hunger he gave up his birthright for a good meal!  "I am about to die, so what is this birthright to me?" (was he REALLY dying?? Not likely, but discomfort tempted him to sell out.)
Jacob obviously schemed to get what the Lord had already said would happen, and of course this did not go over well with Esau who lost the birthright completely.  "So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and 'he' said in his heart..."I will kill my brother." 

If we now fast forward to Galations 5:17 "For the flesh lusts (passionately, fiercely over) against the Spirit and Spirit against the flesh..."  We can see that the two brothers are a picture of this struggle.   The flesh can never repent, even though it may talk as if it wants God; and therefore it MUST be ruled over by the Spirit!

Remember that God said in Romans 9:13 "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."  If we can look past our natural thinking we can understand that God loves the Spirit, but cannot tolerate the flesh.  And so must we!!

Hebrews 12 is a chapter on God's discipline.  Don't despise His chastening...don't be discouraged when rebuked by Him...whom He loves He chastens.  Be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live!  Even when it is so very painful, chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness "to those who have been trained (exercised) by it."   Pursue this peace so that what is lame may be healed.  That is truly the Lord's purpose in difficulties we pass through. 

And finally in this same chapter, He warns each of us " look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble (vex/harass) and by this many become defiled (tainted, contaminated.)... like Esau who for one morsel of food sold his birthright." He was called a profane person...one who had contempt for God and for sacred matters.

This is a serious warning, but also such a necessary vision for us to see!  There are two peoples within each of us as well. The flesh which just wants its own way, and the spirit which desires God.   Dear reader, pray that you will clearly see this, and reject what God rejects by putting off that "old man" and putting on the new one in Christ.  We CAN do this! HE is living within us to accomplish it as we cooperate with HIM!