When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
Reading ahead in Genesis 28:6-9 we find the reason for Isaac and Rebekah's grief - Esau married Canaanite women, rather than looking within his family. This is largely a cultural thing, although today's equivilent would be marrying outside one's faith. At any rate, the phrase "they were a source of grief" strikes me.
I don't want to be a source of grief to anyone, especially not my husband's family. I realize that a lot goes into the blending of two families. There are differences in traditions, personalities, expectations, priorities...the list goes on. It is not always easy to get along with one's in-laws. However, the family is part of the package. Just as we are called to honor our own parents, we need to honor our husband's parents as well. Personal differences aside, we should respect their roles in the lives of our husbands and children and do our best to make things work.
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