Genesis 28:8-9 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

While reading from Genesis in research for yesterday’s devotional on Rebekah, I spotted this little perfect example of human behavior. It is spite but it is born of resentment.

Did Esau choose a daughter of Ismael because he could identify with Ismael in the loss of his birthright and blessing? Perhaps, but there is the (;) which connects Isaac’s displeasure with Esau’s action. What could possibly displease Isaac more than his marrying a Canaanite woman? In some way I would say Esau’s choice was getting back at his father for not undoing history and making things right for him.

When we harbor resentments we make things worse for ourselves. Making choices on how to hurt someone out of resentment is not the path to reconciliation. Relations become further strained, repair becomes all that more difficult. We distance ourselves from the love that we once had, for Isaac did love Esau. (Gen. 25:28)

Much of what Esau suffered in his relationship with Isaac occurred over his choice of wives. It is obvious from Isaac displeasure that either Esau failed to seek his father’s counsel or knew his father’s wishes and did what he wanted anyway. In either case, Esau initiated Isaac’s displeasure.

Esau did nothing to repent of his actions and made things worse by choosing perhaps the one path that could make things worse between his father and himself.

Is this within the heart of those who love the Father? If we do not get our way because we chose badly, do we do things to make it worse? Or do we confess our faults and seek restoration?