The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. ~ Genesis 25:27
As a new believer, fresh from college and seeking to obey Jesus’ command to “love one another” (John 13:34), I moved home and immediately found a church to attend. I joined the first available home group, the church’s softball team, and rubbed shoulders with men I would have never associated with prior to Christ.
From those early days of faith, I learned that men come in all shapes and sizes. One may be a rugged man’s man, and another slightly effeminate. A man can be an athlete or a computer geek—or both! He may be into the outdoors or into the arts. He may be a hearty meat eater or be a conscientious vegan. He may own a Toyota Prius or a lifted 4x4 truck. He may be built like a body-builder or shaped like a tomato.
Men come in all shapes and sizes but one thing is true—a man is as a man does.
From Genesis 25:27 most would agree on which brother would win a fight, but God chose Jacob to receive His blessing, not Esau. It’s clear that a man is not identified by his hobbies or career choices. What you do is not who you are. A carnivorous professional football player is no more of a man than a city dwelling key cruncher.
In fact, many times the one who looks like a man is less of a man! What determines manhood is simply found in the phrase, “the boys grew up.”
A man is not defined by his age, what he does, how he looks, or how much money he makes. He’s defined by that intangible moment he transitions from boyhood to manhood.
“The boys grew up.” A man is as a man does.
They learned to put away boyish behaviors and picked up the mantle of manhood.
Where do you need to do the same?
