Friday 22nd July 2005 AD
"OF ACHIEVERS, LEADERS AND ORDINARY MEN" ~ Part 3

Through the course of history, those given to the study of human behavior have agreed that there are generally two types of people; 
1) There are those women and men whose lives are driven with set of goals, ideals and a sense of purpose. 
2) Then, there are those that are perfectly contented and happy in their time and place, or simply they lack the desire to change. 

In his youth, astride a horse of refined breeding, his servants and tribesmen sweeping up behind, Esau would have been the envy of all that caught sight of him. As he grew, so did the stories and men that followed him. Over the years he had become "lord of desert dwellers". By day the sun gleamed on the spears and swords of his men; by night campfire gatherings sung of his exploits; caravans plundered, riches gained, spoil taken and enemies slain. Esau was a hero, the very makings of legend and romance. 

But, valued reader, we are compelled to turn our eyes again to Jacob, crossing the desert habitation of his estranged brother. Typically a proud, ambitious and stubborn man, Jacob is now reduced to trembling, cringing and fear. 

In their desert meeting, after 20 years of Jacob living in the fear of his brother's revenge, Esau forgivingly closes the matter saying, "I have enough, my dear brother", to which Jacob responds "but I have everything". 

After sparing Jacob's life, family and possessions, Esau rides away into the wilderness and slides from history, while Jacob goes on to father a great nation that would impact and dramatically shape world events from that day to this. 

What is it that separates Jacob from Esau? Both were leaders of men, and both blessed with material abundance yet history has no place for Esau in its splendid procession of great kings & queens, warriors, heroes, statesmen and leaders. 

Growing up with the automatic expectation of his birthright, was it that Esau always had "enough" and lacked the desperation, ambition and tenacity of his younger brother? Much can be learned of these men from the words they exchange; he that said, "I have enough" is a different man to the one that said "but I have everything". Is it not true that, in the long run, only the man who can say, "I have everything" really have enough? 

Was it simply that Esau was happy where he was at, that he had reached his comfortable limit? He wants nothing more than what lies in the horizon of his desert sovereignty. Esau's life suffered the malady of not wanting; ultimately he is an  ordinary man. (1)

We have noted that Jacob was hardworking, stubborn, clever and ambitious. But was that enough? Maybe what distinguishes Jacob is his ability to SEE? To see an advantage in a situation; to see past his flocks and herds and herdsmen and his encampment in the wilderness. Those things could never make him say, "I have enough". He always wanted 
"more" and wanted it more desperately. Jacob wanted everything, and wouldn't quit till he had it, whether the family birthright, his father's blessing or his place in history. Jacob would never really be content with himself. Beyond his flocks, herds and exceeding great household, he sees a purpose and works for it with all his heart. 

Like Jacob, the "achiever" and "leader" is that rare man or woman that can SEE, see something lacking in them, see an undiscovered country beyond their frontiers, and see a meaning and purpose in their life and efforts. 

Best Regards - Philip Judge pjudge@anglofareast.com

(1) In history, Edom would become Israel's most powerful rival for supremacy in Syria.