The Cost of Humble Pie

Please read Genesis 32

Jacob's name means "supplanter" "trickster" or "deceiver." His early life story provides a litany of deception episodes. He tried to pull the wool (oh my, the puns that could follow!) over the eyes of his father, his brother, his father-in-law. But he got his! Oh yes, he did. The trickster got tricked. The deceiver was deceived. Now, he camps out by the river, conniving ways to squelch the wrath of the one he supplanted. His guilt-ridden idea? Try to heal the rift and smooth the torrent caused 20 years earlier by buying Esau's forgiveness.

Look at the cost... Jacob's appeasement gifts to Esau - Gen 32: 14-16

(Current market values of the cattle Jacob offered to Esau to save his neck)

220 Goats: $22,000

220 Sheep: $22,000

30 Camels: $21,000 plus $14,000 (for 20 colts)

10 Bulls: $40,000

30 Donkeys: $18,000

Total cost: $137,000

Your deception of others to gain an advantage may not seem like a big deal at the time of the crime.

However, the resulting guilt cannot have a price tag attached to it. And when you do try to appease those whom you have wronged, the cost is multiplied many times more than you could ever have calculated.

It would be much better to just be fair, just, honest and do the right thing.