"THE BELL."

Written and preached by David P. Nolte

GENESIS 27:30-41

In the Bible we read of one of the saddest of all of life's catastrophes: the alienation of brothers. We read in Genesis 25 how Jacob had managed to con Esau out of his birthright. Then we read in Genesis 27 how Jacob deceived their father Isaac so that he would give the Patriarchal blessing to him and not to Esau. Let me read a portion of the text here. What ensued was a 20 year separation. I read a story last week about another sad separation. It is the story of "Pappy and the Bell." Pappy was a pleasant old fellow with neatly cut and combed white hair and blue eyes which seemed to emit a warmth from within though faded with age. When he smiled, even his wrinkles seemed to soften and smile with him. He whistled happily each day as he dusted and swept his pawnshop. His happy exterior belied the secret sadness that nestled in his heart. He was virtually alone in the world. All his family was gone except for his estranged daughter whom he had not seen for over ten years. A misunderstanding had gone unresolved and had grown into division. She had left home vowing never to return. How often, and how tragically, that story is told and retold. Severed relationships, ruined friendships, broken covenants all create estrangement. It is a sad fact of life that:

  1. WE SOMETIMES EXPERIENCE ALIENATION FROM OTHERS:
    1. When Jacob cheated Esau, what might and ought to have been brotherly love and companionship deteriorated into competition and jealousy leading to estrangement.
    2. When that happens in our lives, sometimes it means:
      1. Separation by geography. We leave physically. We don't see each other, we don't communicate, and we stay apart.
      2. Separation in spirit.
        1. We live in the same town, go to the same church, or even share the same domicile and yet there is a breach big enough to drive a log truck through.
        2. We go our separate ways, live by our own values, and never share any goals or purposes, joys or sorrows, losses or gains..
        3. We close others out of our mind and never give them a thought.
    3. At the heart of alienation is:
      1. Selfishness: somebody insists on their own way regardless of what others want or need.
      2. Pride: Somebody insists on being right and the other person being wrong.
      3. Lack of communication: refusal to share our hearts and refusal to listen to the other person's heart.
      4. Refusal to forgive: carrying a spite, nursing a grudge.
      5. Refusal to apologize: defending our action as right and failing to see anything we have done wrong.
    4. Tragically, many live in alienation from God. That's the most grievous estrangement of all.
      1. Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear."
      2. Matthew 15:8 "This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me."
      3. Eternally speaking, Paul cites the Gospel rejecters and says, "And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed-- for our testimony to you was believed." 2 Thessalonians 1:9, 10.
Pappy experienced a painful alienation from his daughter. He had to deal with the pain and loneliness so he ran his shop to keep busy. To him, the shop was not a livelihood as much as a welcome pastime and diversion. There was a room in the back of his shop where he spent time tinkering with an assortment of his own precious items. He referred to this room as "memory hall." In it were pocket watches, clocks, and electric trains. There were miniature steam engines and antique toys made of wood, tin, or cast iron, and there were other trinkets as well. Spending time in memory hall delighted him as he recalled many treasured moments from his past. He handled each item with care, and sometimes he would close his eyes and pause to relive a sweet, simple memory. This was a needed retreat from the pain he felt daily at the loss of his beloved daughter. That's another grim reality of life.
  1. WE USUALLY EXPERIENCE PAIN IN OUR ESTRANGEMENT:
    1. Isaac suffered pain because he had been deceived; Rebekah suffered pain because her son was gone; Esau suffered pain because he had been cheated; Jacob suffered pain because he lived in fear of his brother for over 20 years.
    2. When we are estranged, the pain is manifold:
      1. There is the pain of failure: maybe the relationship could have been salvaged if we'd tried harder or tried better.
      2. There is the pain of guilt: maybe we were at least partly to blame for the estrangement.
      3. There is the pain of loneliness: we shut out, or are shut out by, those we ought to live with in love.
      4. There is the pain of bitterness: we allow the grievance to fester in our mind and heart and it becomes a spiritual ulcer.
    3. Consider and think on this:
      1. The parents who say, "Well, if you don't like it here, get out!" may act as if they are indifferent, but inside is a churning anguish.
      2. The young person who says, "I'm leaving and you'll never see me again!" may act oblivious, but the pain rides deep in the heart.
      3. The brother or sister who hostilely or indifferently shuts out a sibling creates a milieu of suffering for all involved.
      4. The marriage that is dissolved always leaves broken and hurting lives.
    4. Sin separation grieves the tender heart of the Loving Savior.
      1. God had dealt harshly with sinful Ephraim and yet He lamented over the sinful people, saying, "How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled." Hosea 11:8.
      2. Jesus lamented over rebellious Jerusalem, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling." Matthew 23:37.
Pappy felt pain of being separated from his daughter. To deal with the pain he had to keep busy. One day as he worked, he heard the tinkling of his bell on the shop door. The bell had been in his family for over 100 years. He enjoyed hearing its song when someone came to his shop. He went to greet his customer. She was a little girl whose shiny, soft curls barely topped the counter. "And how can I help you, little lady?" Pappy asked. She looked at Pappy with her big brown eyes, then slowly scanned the room. Softly she told him, "I'd like to buy a present for my grandpa, but I don't know what to get." Pappy showed her a pocket watch. The little girl didn't answer. She had walked to the doorway and put her small hand on the door and wiggled it to ring the bell. "This is just right," the little girl bubbled. "Mamma says grandpa loves music." He gently told her, "I'm sorry, missy. That's not for sale. Maybe your grandpa would like this little radio." She sighed, "No, I don't think so." Pappy told her how the bell had been in his family for so many years, and that was why he didn't want to sell it. The little girl looked up at him, and with a tear in her eye, said, "I guess I understand. Thank you, anyway." Suddenly he said, "Wait, little lady. I've decided to sell the bell. Here's a hanky. Blow your nose, now." The little girl clapped her hands. "Oh, thank you, sir. Grandpa will be so happy." He felt good about helping the child, but he knew he would miss the bell. Then she asked him, "How much will it cost?" "Well, let's see. How much have you got to spend?" Pappy asked with a grin. The child pulled a small coin purse from her pocket and emptied $2.40 onto the counter. Pappy said, "Little lady, this is your lucky day. That bell costs exactly $2.40." Later, Pappy found himself thinking about that little girl. Just as he was going to turn off the light, he thought he heard his bell. He turned toward the door, and there stood the little girl. She was ringing the bell and smiling sweetly. Pappy was puzzled, and asked, "Have you changed your mind little lady?" "Oh, no," she grinned. "Mamma says it's for you." Then the child's mother stepped into the doorway, and choking back a tear, she gently said, "Hello, Daddy." The little girl tugged on her grandpa's shirttail. "Here, Grandpa. Here's your hanky. Blow your nose, now." A day he had never dreamed could happen, was a reality. That's a hope we can all cherish!
  1. WE CAN EXPERIENCE GREAT JOY IN RECONCILIATION:
    1. Jacob thought his brother would kill him when the met. So when we read in Genesis 33:4 "Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept" we get a picture of the thrill of being reunited.
    2. David was right: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!" Psalms 133:1.There is joy when:
      1. We are big enough to take the first step and feel the elation of doing the right thing!
      2. We discover that peace is always more pleasant than antagonism.
      3. We put the evil one to flight and welcome the Holy Spirit into our broken relationships.
      4. We do that which brings God's blessing and commendation.
      5. We contribute to the oneness and unity of the Body of Christ rather than its dysfunction.
      6. We have a clear conscience that whatever the other person chooses to do, we have obeyed God.
    3. We bring joy to the heart of the Father when we
      1. Are at peace with one another because we put to rest our petty quarrels, immature peevishness, sinful divisions, and walk in love.
        1. 1 Corinthians 1:10 "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment."
        2. 2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like- minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
        3. Ephesians 4:1-3 "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
      2. Are at peace with Him because we return to Him and are truly reconciled: There is joy in heaven when one sinner repents.
    4. Peace, harmony, unity, forgiveness, reconciliation, grace -- these are Christlike and they bring joy to us and Him.
Is there an alienation in your life that God wants you to rectify? Are you at odds with a neighbor, a brother, a sister, a parent? You won't be in God's will or enjoy His peace and blessing until you humbly do what you can to bring restoration. You may fail; but are you willing to let God help you to try? Though by sin we have been separated from Him, God took the first step, He made the plan, He reached out. He redeemed. He reconciled. He offers today to bring you back, to restore you, to welcome you. Your part is to forsake sin and self-righteousness and stubbornness and embrace Jesus. You may do that by faith this morning. Though long separated, He will welcome you. He loves you and holds no barrier between you and Himself. Come to Him. He will welcome you home. Come into peace with God through Christ as we sing.
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