Conflicts seem to be a part of life. People fight, become bitter and stop talking with each other in families, workplaces and churches. I had a boss who was constantly angry. It was like walking on egg shells since he wouldn’t accept any contrary point of view. Instead of acknowledging his problem, he shifted the blame and sent me to a seminar to learn how to communicate. I enjoyed the seminar. In Abraham’s family, we observe how pursuing or not pursuing peace either builds or tears down relationships with God and others.  

Abraham gave all he had to Isaac and gave gifts to sons of his concubines. He was satisfied with life for 175 years (Gen. 25:5-8). Enjoyment and peace in life comes from a right relationship with God. A peaceful and godly person freely gives their resources to benefit others, beginning with their families.

In contrast, Ishmael settled in defiance of all his relatives (Gen. 25:18). We see no evidence from the text that Ishmael enjoyed life. A peaceful and godly person gets along with others.

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his barren wife, Rebekah, who conceived in answer to prayer (Gen. 25:21). A peaceful and godly person experiences life in answer to prayer, especially in tough circumstances. 

The children struggled together within Rebekah and she inquired of God, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” She learned two nations were in her womb, one stronger than the other and older would serve the younger.  Jacob’s hand held onto Esau’s heel, reflecting his shrewd, crafty and deceptive nature. Isaac loved Esau, a skillful hunter and man of the field. Rebekah loved Jacob, a peaceful man living in tents (Gen. 25:22-28). We observe a negative example of parenting in this text. Let’s turn it to a positive. Peaceful and godly parents love their children equally without showing favoritism so as  to draw out their natural bent and character built into them by God. Jacob would later be transformed from deceiver to a person of peace.  

Esau was famished and sold his birthright to Jacob who gave him bread and lentil stew. Thus Esau despised his birthright (Gen. 25:29-34). Peaceful and godly people reject a temporal value system and access the throne of grace through prayer allowing them to see the Lord (Heb. 12:14-17). 

A peaceful person does not compromise his convictions but settles conflicts Biblically. He or she practices patience and displays discernment and wisdom while sharing the truth in love (Prov. 10:11-14).  

Are you experiencing a conflict with someone? Walk by the Spirit whose fruit is patience, but also confront sin and injustice by speaking the truth with love and wisdom.


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