Truths from the OT: Watch Weighty Words of Wrath

Watch weighty words of wrath.  The future founder of Israel, Jacob, fled from his father-in-law Laban who quickly pursued in search of his missing household gods.  Jacob, quick to vindicate himself with weighty words of wrath, nearly issues the death sentence for his favored wife Rachel who had secretly carried off the idols (Gen. 31:31).  While Jacob was fortunate to escape the repercussions of his words (31:34-35), later generations did not fair as well: Judah is trapped by Tamar and forced to eat his words of condemnation (Gen. 38:24-26) and Jephthah  sacrifices his own daughter due to a mindless vow (Judges 11:30-38).  Weighty words still divide today as James and Paul remind us that the tongue cannot be tamed (James 3:7-8) and not to let the sun set in anger (Eph. 4:26).  Fathers should encourage their children instead of berating them with reminders of past failures and shortcomings lest resentment split their families (6:4).  Christians should choose gentleness and respect over ultimatums and venomous ad hominem when debating with unbelievers so our words will attract them to the gospel (1 Peter 3:15-16).