CONFLICT AND GRIEF

CONFLICT AND GRIEF

When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah. —Genesis 26:34-35

            Marriages should be a time of joy and celebration, but sometimes they are not.  In the verses above Esau married Hittite women who were under the curse of Noah (Genesis 9:25).  These two women were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.  There was obviously conflict between Esau’s wives and Esau’s parents.  This is a hard thing to live with.

            Anytime there is conflict/grief in families through a marriage — it is painful.  A time when there should be much joy with your child has now been greatly overshadowed by a marriage that was not what it was suppose to be.  Yes, it is painful.

            I am so glad that our Sovereign Lord knows the bigger picture and I trust Him for that.  I see so little of that picture now through my little life.  Oh, what joy to see the bigger picture one day and to understand what our Lord was doing in difficult times.

            Ruth went through a time of great grief (Ruth 1:13, 20) as did Job (Job 27:2).  We can see the bigger picture of their lives because it was written down.  But when they were living it out there was much grief in their lives.  Ruth having her husband and sons die while in a foreign land and Job having lost everything: business, children, health, his wife’s support and his friend’s support.  Life from the human perspective can be hard and this surely encourages us to desire more and more to be with Jesus forever and all who love Him.   Oh to be in that perfect place.

            We cannot stay in that grief.  It has to be handed over to our Lord (Matthew 11:28-30).  We need to listen to Him, learn from Him, trust Him and He will give us rest in the midst of grief and conflict. May we do that.

Dear Father there is so much I do not understand, but this I do understand— I can trust you fully.  May I do so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s