Rev. Joyce Bucknor

“Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated…” Malachi 1:2 and 3.

Did you ever think God, who has been described as “love” could hate? (1John 4:8… God is

Love.)

I was challenged to research the meaning of that word hate as used in this verse (Malachi 1:3). The Hebrew word is sane (Saw-nay). Hebrew words usually describe their meaning in forms of pictures. This one illustrates its meaning as a thorn or seed or it would combine these words “thorn seed.”

The thorn/seed or sane, (the seed of a plant with small sharp points) is what causes one to turn away in another direction to avoid them.”

Sooooo…

What this all means is — Esau, the first born, by denying his birthright to carry on the line of the Messiah, caused God to turn away from an enduring hurt. Therefore, Esau’s rejection of this gift caused God to turn away from Esau.

Wow! God’s emotion was not of hate, as it was translated, but one of walking away from Esau because he chose darkness. We, who are Christians and have also received a birthright through Jesus, by His sacrifice on the cross. We then have a decision to honor that gift or live a life that is apathetic towards it, as Esau was towards his birthright.

Today, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything that you are doing that would give Our Father that kind of a tragic emotion of sane towards you. The thought of the Holy One of Israel to turn from you because of your desecration of His loving kindness, should bring terror to your soul. His son’s blood gave us a glorious heritage when we received His gift.

Let us be like Jacob and embrace that costly one and honor what was given to us by Christ, God’s Son.

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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week’s column comes from Pastor Joyce Bucknor of Kingdom of Life Ministries, Lock Haven.