Esau have I hated.

Today's rumination is upon the fact that there are just those who will not, and cannot hear the true gospel. I often fear that it is I who am Esau, because it's not like he didn't know who God is. It's not like he didn't understand his error, for with many tears did he seek repentance, but was unable to find it (Heb 12:17). He knew what was required, but he just couldn't do it, God didn't grant him the ability. I hate that I see that in myself, but this isn't about me.....never was. I do however, want to remind you, and myself, that we ARE commanded to examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5)

More than anything this is what I have trouble with, that someone can hear the Holy Spirit speak truth through a vessel of God, and not comprehend. Oh, they WILL 'hear it', but they more often than not, do not HEAR IT.

In the old days, when I was young, I would watch movies about Jesus Christ and never understand how they (the Jews) could have God right there in front of them, performing all kind of miracles, and then say to themselves, 'no, that's not the messiah'. Really though, when I think about it, that's the way it has to be. Otherwise a person could think it was something within themselves, or that they were just smarter than others, instead of giving God the glory for the gift of faith.

Living here around St. Louis, MO, is kind of like living in Satan's seat (Rev 2:13). It's a massively Roman Catholic place, where even the local news follows who's in or out of the diocese as if that were just a normal part of life. The others which are well known are those like Joyce Meyers, who preaches a prosperity gospel. Seems people don't care who you molest, or care how many of your ex-employees murdered their wife and children to be with another woman, nor how many scandals plague you, as long as you have money they figure God MUST be on your side.

I like me some no money, bitingly witty, sometimes sarcastic, but always knowledgeable, and unbelievably versatile preacher who knows God is the author of his knowledge. He knows that God has allowed him to be the Jacob portion of His love, and gives Him praise and glory. There has to be contrast to everything, and Esau is the other side of that coin, for God has said, 'Esau have I hated'.

To God be the glory for His judgment is righteous, and so I leave you with this portion of Psalm 119

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.


Amen