Step 3: Turn Your Will Over

STEP 3

I Have Made a Decision to Turn My Will Over to Jehovah El Nose.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (NIV)

             

The Bible tells the story of twin brothers, Esau and Jacob, who had a major sibling rivalry. Esau was the first born and according to their custom, the birthright was to go to him. This birthright consisted of the succession of the father to the eldest son in the event of death and old age.  This means that a double portion of property and the father's blessing was given to the first born. Because God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, this past on down to his children and then to their children, for many generations to come. However, Jacob wanted to secure his own future and therefore, decided to take advantage of Esau during a moment of extreme weakness.

Esau was a hunter and was often famished when he came back for hunting. During one of his returns, Jacob made an offer for Esau to trade his birthright for a plate of food. What a horrible deal, but Esau took the bait. A lifelong decision was exchanged for temporary satisfaction. Genesis 25:29-34 ⁽²⁹⁾Once when Jacob was cooking some sew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. ⁽³⁰⁾He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom) ⁽³¹⁾Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." ⁽³²⁾"Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" ⁽³³⁾But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. ⁽³⁴⁾Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright. (NIV)

                On another occasion, Jacob, with the help of his mother, tricked his father into giving him the blessing that would normally go the firstborn prior to Isaac, his father's death. God had already promised that Jacob would be served by Esau, but Rebekah, Jacob's mother, and Jacob took matters into their own hands which created a family mess. Genesis 25:23 The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." (NIV)

In an attempt to fulfill God's word on their own, Rebekah advised Jacob to trick his blind and dying father into giving him the blessing that the firstborn normally received. This caused a major rift between the two brothers and caused Jacob to flee in fear for his life. Genesis 27:41-43 ⁽⁴¹⁾Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob." ⁽⁴²⁾When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, "Your brother Esau is consoling himself with the thought of killing you. ⁽⁴³⁾Now then, my son, do what I say. Flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. (NIV) Jacob's deception caused him to have to flee from his home. He lied, manipulated his brother, and both he and his mother caused division in their family. Esau was not ready to forgive his brother of what he had done. Instead, he wanted to kill him. How many times have we wanted to get revenge on someone who has done us wrong? However, that is not God's way and in this case, it caused a family to be divided.

               After years of separation and hardships, Jacob ended up leaving the home of his uncle after receiving a dream from the Lord with orders to return to his homeland. Jacob got his family, flock and servants ready for the trip. There was just one thing that Jacob was concerned about…he was soon to come face to face with the brother that he had wronged. He was scared and he needed Divine intervention from the God of forgiveness, Jehovah El Nose. So Jacob prayed to the only one who could forgive and protect him. Genesis 32:10-12 ⁽¹⁰⁾I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. ⁽¹¹⁾Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. ⁽¹²⁾But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ ” (NIV)

                Jacob later wrestled with God and would not release Him until he was blessed. Jehovah El Nose promised to bless him and changed his name to Israel. Genesis 32:28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” (NIV) Jehovah El Nose had forgiven Jacob of his sin because he humbled himself and recognized that he was unworthy of God’s goodness. Not only did Jehovah El Nose forgive Jacob, but he also softened Esau’s heart and when they finally met, Esau ran to embrace him wholeheartedly. He was not holding any grudge, but showed his brother that all was forgiven. Genesis 33:4-5 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children, “Who are those with you? he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” (NIV) Esau seemed to had been amazed at how much God had blessed his brother. Jehovah El Nose had given Jacob material possessions, restored family ties, and most importantly forgiveness. Jehovah El Nose had forgiven Jacob of his wrongs and in return, allowed his brother to forgive him as well.

                Jacob had to turn it over to Jehovah El Nose because the matter was larger than him. We too must turn our wills over to God. Any unforgiveness must be turned over to Him because we are unable to do it on our own. Forgiveness comes only from Jehovah El Nose and through His Holy Spirit, He allows us to forgive as well as receive it. The choice is up to you! You must make a choice to allow Him to reign down forgiveness in your life. Just as we have freely received forgiveness from Jehovah El Nose, we are to freely give it to others. Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (NIV)