Don't Be Foolish ~ Be Patient

God’s plan for Samson was the deliverance of his people from the ruling Philistines. God equipped Samson for this task, but his impatience and impulsivity would sabotage God’s objectives. This clearly illustrates that we can impede God’s purpose for us, but at the cost of tremendous regret and sorrow.

God gave Samson unusual strength that became activated when the power of the Lord was present to help him escape crises that he himself tended to create. His sharp intelligence was used to manipulate others, sometimes for fun because he was mischievous and at other times for personal and political benefits.

God expects us to be accountable for using his wonderful gifts and blessings. The Apostle Paul gives us this reminder from Romans 12:3: “By the grace of God given to me I tell you not to think you are better than you are, but measure yourself with sober judgement, according to the degree of faith God has assigned to you.” Good advice. Act on it!  

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Patience is better than pride! Don’t be quick tempered – that is being a fool!

~Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 The Living Bible

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud.

~1 Corinthians 13:4 Good News Bible

Love is so patient and so kind. Love never boils with jealousy.

It never boasts, is never puffed with pride.

~1 Corinthians 13:4 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

Becoming a Person of Faith

When Jacob left his home to escape the wrath of his brother Esau, his work habits would change dramatically though he would remain a manipulator. For twenty years he managed his father-in-law’s livestock. Now he was ready to make the six hundred-mile trek back home, but he expected to be rewarded for those twenty years of hard work.

As he prepared to leave, he planned to swindle his father-in-law and felt justified to do so. For twenty years he had developed the skill of breeding livestock and had used that skill for his benefit. He proposed to take every specifically colored animal with him back to his homeland as payment for his labor.

Jacob’s plan was to outwit his father-in-law, who had taken advantage of his management skills for twenty years. However, God had placed Jacob in a position where he would be manipulated for someone else's benefit. God’s purpose for Jacob was for him to change, to grow and become a man of faith so he could be a true blessing to others.

From Regret to Redemption

Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah. His twin brother Esau traded his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup. His rationale made perfect sense to him. “If I don’t get something to eat, I’m going to die! Then what good would my birthright be?” The pervasive aroma seeping from the soup was too tempting to resist.

Have you ever acted impulsively and had to live with never-ending regret? Jacob knew his brother, whom he feared somewhat but evidently knew he could manipulate. Manipulating others is a skill learned early in childhood. Siblings learn to manipulate each other sometimes with the parent’s blessings, especially when it’s perceived as being creative.

Jacob used his creative abilities to persuade Esau to trade his birthright for a quick meal, which was a dishonorable, unloving act. Jacob saw his character flaw as a positive skill that gave him an advantage. Remember, God does not close his eyes to sin, but will wait for sincere repentance and change which builds a bridge to integrity.