MAN CAN CHANGE

When we hear the name "Jacob", most of us think of something negative, such as cunning, deceiver, liar. He once deceived his weary brother Esau to exchange his birthright for food (Genesis 25:29-34). He disguised himself as Esau to receive the blessing from Isaac, his father (Genesis 27:18-19). He manipulated Laban's livestock to produce offspring according to his wages (Genesis 30:37-39).

Years later, a famine struck. Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. However, the purchase money was returned in each sack of grain (Genesis 42:35). On their second journey, Jacob instructed his sons to bring double the money (v. 12). The money that was returned had to be given back to the seller. Jacob considered it a mistake, and did not allow his sons to take advantage of it. The cunning became sincere, the deceiver encouraged honesty, the liar taught to speak the truth. From here we learn a valuable lesson that people can change. Someone's bad attitude can turn into a good one.

People can change, therefore, we must not give up facing those who seem stubborn. If our words are ignored today, perhaps they will listen tomorrow. Tomorrow also has another tomorrow. As long as there is still breath in us, we can hope for a change in someone's attitude. Remind yourself not to tire of advising others to improve their behavior, and continue to enthusiastically reach out to souls for Jesus! --LIN/www.renunganharian.net