What Could Have Been

"Now these are the records of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom). Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite; also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth. Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel, and Oholibamah bore Jeush and Jalam and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan. Then Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all his household, and his livestock and all his cattle and all his goods which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land away from his brother Jacob. For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock. So Esau lived in the hill country of Seir; Esau is Edom." -Genesis 36.1-8

Genesis 36 gives the account of Isaac's other son. His family became a great nation, so great that he moved east because he and his brother were both heads of large families and the land could not support all that they had. The brothers part ways, on better terms this time, but the family of Israel takes center stage. We find references to Edom throughout the Old Testament, but this is not the story of the Edomites. But really, it could have been.

Jacob tricked Esau out of his birth right, and then stole his blessing. He stepped in and took over the covenant. He became Israel, and the Bible tells the story of his children. But Jacob was the youngest. Everything he received was meant for his older brother. And you have to wonder, what would have been?

Men, in our lives there are things that could have happened. For one reason or another they didn't unfold that way. I mentioned some of the things that my family history involves in a recent post, and all of those events have led me to where I am now. There have been times I've wondered what life would be like if it wasn't for that initial abandonment and adultery. I wonder if my family could have been like Israel, one with a story worth telling that changes the world. But with everything that's happened, I feel more like the Edomites, lost in the shuffle, and fading into the background in insignificance.

Before we act, let's think about what the long term consequences could be. Let's think about all that we could be giving up, and all that we could be costing our family in the future. Will your actions help bring about a great story that changes the world? Or will they cause your family to sink into obscurity? Do you want them to look back and wonder what could have been? Or to proudly share the story of what was, and is?

You play a huge part in what happens, will it be what is, or what could have been?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor