“…his heart…within him…became as a stone…”~ 1Sam. 25:37
Is character an acquired thing or something possessed from birth? Or is it a little of both? Some people seem to be sadly deficient, if not completely void, of any and all character. It’s like they’ve never had any, nor will they have! Dr. Bob Jones Sr. used to say, “The only thing worse than having little character, is having no character at all.”
I remember reading years ago something F. B. Meyer said about Esau and Jacob. He wrote, "In many respects, Esau had qualities that would have endeared him to us. For example, his affection for his father, his forgiveness toward his brother who had wronged him, as well as his manliness. All traits that are admired by principled people. And what of Jacob? Well, anyone familiar with his life up to this time would have to admit, it left much to be desired. Yet, this undesirable desired God’s blessings, while his brother was a “slave to his senses.” He went on to say, "Esau's type of character would never have changed, no matter what."
He gave an illustration of putting a rock in a flower pot. It could be buried in good fertilized soil, watered constantly, and watched over with tender care, but it would never change; it would always remain the same. In such cases, prayer, time, expense, and concern doesn't even bring an encouraging bud of hope.
The mystery of all mysteries is how people can be born and brought up with everything against them, yet they blossom into something beautiful. On the other hand, I have seen individuals that had every advantage life could afford them, good parentage, education, and environment, yet remained dormant. After a lifetime, there is not one redeeming quality they display. How sad to have lived and died and left nothing of substance but one’s ashes!
I’d love to be wrong on my assessment of some of these people, but experience has not left me with much hope. I wish it were not so, but it is a fact of life. And to deny it will only bring frustration as you water the rock in the flower pot.
Wonder of wonders: how a godly king, as Hezekiah, could produce a wicked, wicked son as Manasseh. And Amon, an ungodly king, could father a righteous and godly son as Josiah.
by an Aged Saint