Injustice and Escape

Brothers and fathers, mothers and sons – family dysfunction is an early theme.

For some reason, even though his own mother had been sought out from Haran because Abraham did not want a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites, Esau doesn’t get it. He marries not one but two women from the Canaanites.

On the other hand, Rebekah seems to believe that Esau won’t react to Jacob’s deception – that he won’t care.  Of course, foolishly selling your own stuff is one thing, but having it stolen is another.  She doesn’t get it.

Yet out of this dysfunction comes what had to be anyway. The trajectory toward authentic community is an irresistible pressure built into the fabric of creation. Through a lack of awareness, Esau found himself working against that which must be. He suffered and it seemed unjust.

It is as though the ultimate injustice, which trumps even the necessity of equity between individuals, is indifference to the arc of God’s plan.

A fearful thing it is, to fall into the hands of an angry God.