How can I be a true follower of Jesus Christ at work? – Example ‘Jacob and Esau’

Dear Friends,

Our next examples of workers in the Bible are the well-known twin brothers – Jacob and Esau, the sons of Rebecca and Isaac.

Jacob and Esau is a truly intriguing story of opposites, struggles, conflicts, and contradictions; each with a raft of lessons.

The story started from Genesis 25, when they were still in the womb of their mother. Their struggle started from the womb, a prophecy was proclaimed by God to Rebecca. Two nations were in her and will be born; one stronger than the other and the older will serve the younger (Genesis 25:23).

This is a long Bible story that runs from Genesis 25 to 36, but below are examples of key points:

• Esau was loved by Isaac because he likes the ‘game’ Esau brings home. Jacob was loved by Rebecca, probably because he stays at home and help with the cooking. There are several lessons to be learnt here about how parents need to be careful of how they relate and express love to their children.
• Esau sold his birth right as a first child for a bowl of soup. There is a big lesson here on why we must not let our immediate need cause us to lose what is more important to us. Jacob purchased the birth right with a bowl of soup. Depending on where you stand, you may say this is a good lesson on how to make a good deal or a bad lesson in taking advantage of others.
• Esau married two foreign women from a tribe where the Israelites were not supposed to marry, disobeying both God and his parents. This was a source of grief to his parents. Jacob worked hard to earn his right to marry. He served his uncle seven years each for his two wives, Leah and Rachel.
• Esau went out to hunt for game in order to receive his father’s blessings whilst Jacob, with help from his mother, lied to take his brother’s blessings. A lesson on the impact of choosing a child over another.
• Esau despised his birth right and was later cheated out on his father’s blessings whilst Jacob had to run for his life for fear of being killed by Esau.

Wrestling for supremacy

What can we learn from these two about work?

Esau was described as a skilful hunter and a man of the open country. Jacob on the other hand was content to ‘stay home among the tents’ and later in life became a shepherd.

With regards to being good or bad example of workers, let us be clear that no one is completely evil apart from Satan, and no one is completely good apart from God. Therefore, neither Esau or Jacob is completely evil or completely good.

Was Esau a good or bad example of a hunter?

I believe the answer is ‘bad’.

Although not much is written about his actual work in the Bible, we at least know that he is a skilful hunter. He was described a man of the open country, so he probably does not spend much time hanging around at home like his brother. That is probably the norm around that time and culture. His brother Jacob was most likely the ‘odd one’ for staying at home all the time. We know his father loves him because he enjoys the product of his hunting. So clearly there are many good things about Esau.

The reason I will describe him as a bad example of worker is how he ended up selling his birth right for a bowl of soup. Esau roamed around and worked himself to the ground, he was described as so famished that he could not wait for the proper time to eat. He thought he would die there and then if he did not eat immediately! (Genesis 25:29-34)

The lesson here is that we must work in moderation and we must not let our immediate need lead us to lose what is more important to us. Esau did not work in moderation, he overworked to the extent he became quite vulnerable, leaving himself open to exploitation by his brother.

 You can read more about the important balance of work and rest as we previously discussed that as one of the principles of biblical work How can I be a true follower of Jesus Christ at work? – Principles of work – The Rhythm of Work and Rest – Fishers of Men Ministry (fmministry.co.uk)

Two Sheep can walk together in peace

Was Jacob a good or bad example of a Shepherd?

Firstly, let us clarify that Jacob was a late starter when it comes to having an occupation as he spent his early adulthood hanging about at home. His occupation after he fled home to go and live with his uncle Laban in Harran was as a Shepherd (Genesis 27:43).

Having said the above, I will venture to say that Jacob was a ‘good’ example of worker. I make this general statement based on the growth in positive character observed in Jacob as he grew from the gullible and deceitful young man to become the patriarch and father of the twelve tribes of Israel.

It is beyond the scope of this blog to tease out the growth in Godly character in Jacob but below are few points to consider when we follow the entire story in the Bible.

Jacob:

• grew from a young man without focus in an occupation to one who learnt to be a good Shepherd with his Uncle.
• grew from deceitfully obtaining whatever he wants to working hard to earn his wages for example he worked 14 years for his two wives.
• grew from using his craftiness to make deals to relying on God’s provision for example in negotiating wages with his Uncle.
• learnt humility and respect of others and he demonstrated this with his Uncle and his Brother.
• learnt the good in reconciling with others and did this with his Brother.
• his transformation was complete when he wrestled with God, choosing not to let God go until he was blessed, and had his name changed from Jacob to Israel.

Further biblical insights to Jacob’s transformation can be read at https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/genesis-12-50-and-work/jacob-genesis-2519-4933

Positive change is better

I believe the biggest lesson from this twin’s story is the sovereignty of God’s will for each one he created.

God, with full knowledge of the past, present and future, had pre-determined that Jacob will be the father of Israel and that the nation that will come from him will be greater than what will come from Esau. Jacob did not need to scheme or use deceitful means to try and get ahead as God already ordained him to be greater than his brother.

The same applies to all of us who have been called according to Romans 8:28-30:

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Therefore, if we believe we have been called by God, we should quit trying to get ahead by any means but instead wait on God, who in his wisdom has ordained us to be conformed to the image of Christ. We must not worry about how we get ahead in work but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and these things will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33). We must use all our being, including our work in worship of HIM who has given us everything.

I hope you have benefited from reading this blog and if so, please share with others. Please also continue to send your feedback and comments to hello@fmministry.co.uk or use the comment box below.

God bless and let’s keep growing in the image of our Lord Jesus Christ

Adesina