Bad Blood

The animosity between Esau and Jacob trickled down through the generations. Esau was the father of Eliphaz, who fathered Amalek (Gen 36:10). The Amalekites were perennial enemies of Israel. They opposed Israel when they attempted to enter the promised land (Ex 17:8-16). Later, God commanded King Saul to wipe them out. Saul spared Agag, their king, until Samuel rebuked him for it, and cut Agag to pieces (1Sam 15). Some Amalekites did get away because they harassed David (1Sam 30:1-20) and Haman the Agagite tried to annihilate all the Jews in Persia (Est 9:24). Unresolved family feuds can develop into much larger and uglier conflicts. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger (Eph 4:26). As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18).