For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You: the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites. (Psalm 83:5-6)
As we mentioned in the previous devotion, this psalm identifies the many nations who have, throughout history, exhibited great disdain for God’s people. It is telling that as Asaph began listing these nations, he started with nations fathered by two very prominent men, both of whom were directly related to Abraham. The Ishmaelites descended from Abraham’s son, Ishmael; Edom were the descendants of his grandson, Esau. Ishmael, you will recall, was born of the Egyptian woman, Hagar. After the birth of Isaac, both of them were sent away, no doubt carrying with them the sting of rejection and a great deal of resentment.
In Esau’s case, his mother was alerted to the fact that he and his twin, Jacob, were never to coexist with one another; to the contrary, it was prophesied there would always be conflict between the two. So when Jacob obtained the blessing of Isaac, she correctly perceived that Esau meant to do him harm, and so Jacob was sent away. Unfortunately, that separation did not lessen Esau’s disdain for his brother, as it is written: “You have had an ancient hatred” (Ezekiel 35:5); “His anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever” (Amos 1:11).
Again, that the psalmist began the list of nations hostile toward Israel with these two is no accident. To a large degree, they were the first to exhibit these traits and to provide an answer as to why they hate God’s people so vehemently. Both Isaac and Esau have something in common besides being Abraham’s offspring; they have a common grievance. Both lamented the fact that their counterpart inherited what they believed was rightfully theirs. In other words, their deep seated resentment was fueled by a sense of entitlement, although what they wanted was never theirs in the first place. As it is written, “In Isaac your seed shall be called” (Genesis 21:12); “Jacob I have loved” (Malachi 1:2).
Why should you and I take note of this? Because this same sense of entitlement has provoked Satan through the ages; he wants what is not his — i.e. God’s Throne. But because he cannot have it, and never will, he turns his frustration and anger toward what is most precious in God’s eyes — His people. Thankfully, our God watches over His treasures, as it is written: “They shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him” (Malachi 3:7). And because we are His treasured possession, we will inherit the Kingdom and all its benefits — no matter who among the nations claim it as their own. In Messiah we are the rightful heirs and, so then, let us serve our God happily and thankfully knowing that no evil conspiracy can undo what He has ordained.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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