A diversion is an instance of turning something aside from its course. Diversions are usually found in Hollywood films, triggered by an event resulting in a chase scene. While often unrealistic, diversion scenes tend to be the most memorable such as the one in Bourne Identity and National Treasure. In the passage below, Rebekah comes up with a plan to save Jacob’s life, referred to by Moses as a diversion of anger.
So now, my son, do what I tell you; arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran; 44 Linger and dwell with him for a while until your brother’s fury is spent. 45 When your brother’s anger is diverted from you, he will forget [the wrong] that you have done him. Then [b]I will send and bring you back from there. Why should I be deprived of both of you in one day? – Genesis 27:43-45
When Esau realizes that he’s lost his father’s blessing of the first born to his younger brother, he loses it. Like the words of Hebrews 12:15, the root of bitterness took a stranglehold on Esau’s soul. When Rebekah overheard just how angry Esau became and what he was willing to do, she conceived another plan for Jacob. Rebekah thought that going away for an extended period of time would serve as a diversion for Esau’s anger.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). 31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind), Ephesians 4:30-31.
Unfortunately, Able never got a warning from Eve, his mother, about Cain’s chilling plan. Perhaps Eve was a pacifist, not wanting to get involved or too consumed about her own life. Whatever the reason, there was no diversion for the hatred in Cain’s heart. The apostle Paul warns Christians in Ephesus to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit. The best modern diversion of anger is to follow the advice in the passage above. Those who put God’s Word into practice will be well on their way to diverting the anger fueled by their sinful nature.
by Jay Mankus
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