Steve Hunter Bible Study

At first glance at this scripture, it appears that Jacob has been blessed and is obedient to his father, but Esau saw how displeasing Canaanite women were to his father so he rebelled and married one.  So he reacted in vengeful spite.  Is this what the Bible is saying?  No, not at all.  This is the story we instantly assume, right!?  Sometimes our assumptions affect how we read and interpret scripture.  I had to reread the scripture and correct my thinking.  I asked myself, "How can Esau possibly be doing something to please his father who just gave away his birthright!?" Read the verses: Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and had sent him to Paddan Aram to take a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he commanded him, “ Do not marry a Canaanite woman ,” and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and had gone to Paddan Aram. Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac ; so he went to Ishmael and married Mah

Take time today to address how you are perceived by others. Are you seen as unapproachable, angry, bitter. aggressive?  Why do people see you that way?  Could you be taking steps to fix that perception? We ALL have busy and at times hectic lives.  We need to realize others are stressed too.  Nobody wants to spend time with a prickly pear or an angry pit bull person.  People who are like this repel friendships and family.  Some never return. The Bible gives all of us good perspective on this issue.  We read that we need to value others more than ourselves.  Is your behavior showing this?  We need to show patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.  Would others say we respect them? value them? Affirm them?  Are our words filled with life or random violently thrown spears of hatred? If you see a little of yourself in this description, it's not too late to make a change.  The Bible clearly teaches that out of the overflow of the heart we act.  Fill your heart with God'

 Most motivational speakers in religious, philosophical and secular motivation emphasize self-actualization, self-motivation, self-gratification, self-assurance, self-reliance, and self-love. There are many positive things that come out of these secular or religious teachings.  There are many truths, but all of these come short of "The Truth". At the core of each of these motivational teachings is an emphasis on SELF. Self-focus, self-absorption, self, self, self. The focus is on self. Self is the PROBLEM, not the SOLUTION. Self-focus is the reason you now need help. I can delude or convince myself that I am something or not something.  And I might get results for a time.  I can motivate myself to action or to overcome an issue but in the end, I truly have no assurance.  I have no real confidence.  I have no reliance upon truth or assurance upon a non-changing and reliable constant that will truly tell me who I am. Each of these motivational teachings pulls us awa