Courtesy and Content

Day eighty-three

I didn't sleep well last night, I wasn't feeling so hot, so I woke up this morning still tired.  I hate when that happens!  Anyway, my prayer included gratitude for the day and for feeling better, and a request that the Lord would please bless me that I will stay healthy.  I have way too much to do to be sick.

Genesis 33

As I read through this chapter two things really stood out to me:  Jacob shows courtesy to Esau, even though he thinks he might be his enemy and Esau doesn't just accept Jacob's gift, but replies that he has enough.

This got me thinking about our society today and the lack of courtesy that people show each other. A trip to the grocery store is the perfect place to find a lack of courtesy, people arguing over parking spots and rushing to get a head of you in line. Good grief! Bad manners is a pet peeve of mine, I think manners are important, being courteous to others shows them that you care about them.  Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing, loving and caring about each other?

One of my favorite quotes about courtesy:

"Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with."  John Wanamaker

I love the example Jacob sets for us in dealing with Esau.  He doesn't know what to expect from his brother, last time he saw him he wanted to kill him, but Jacob treats him with courtesy and respect.  Jacob approaches Esau humbly, bowing himself seven times to the earth (Gen. 33:3).  The number of times he bows is important, in his culture, the number seven represents completeness.  This could be a gesture on his part to let Esau now that he has done everything possible to make peace. To top it off he has a huge gift of 500 plus animals he offers Esau (Gen. 33:8).  Jacob has the birthright, yet he does not rub it in Esau's face, he lets Esau be the big brother in the situation and it works.      

What would it be like if in our homes, communities, and countries we chose to be courteous to each other to the extent that Jacob was to Esau?  How many battles would never begin if such behavior was the norm?

Esau is also courteous to Jacob.  It is apparent that the years apart have softened Esau's heart towards Jacob, and he is ready to welcome him back.  Their meeting is a tender moment filled with hugs, kisses and tears (Gen 33:4).  It is Esau's statement in verse 9 that impresses me the most:  "I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself."  Esau understands the meaning behind the offering of the animals and lets Jacob know that it is not necessary, he should keep them for himself.

How many people do you think in today's society would turn down such an offering?  Being content with what one has is not something that is promoted nowadays, in fact, the mainstream thinking is 'the one with the most wins'.  I think we are doing a disservice to each other when we try to one up each other, it actually pulls us apart, when we need to be coming together.  I had this quote posted in my house for some time:

"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you."  Lao Tzu

Esau had learned not to compare himself to Jacob, but to be content with what he had.  Because he took this attitude they were able to reconcile.  Is there someone in your life that you need to reconcile with?

There is power in being courteous and content, it blesses not only us, but those around us. Think about the affect you could have on others if you were an example of courteous behavior and content with what you had.  You could brighten their day, make them feel better about themselves, and help them see that happiness is not about what you have.  These are all great blessings that we can give others and ourselves, we just need to follow the example of Jacob and Esau.