Genesis 33 – The Reunion of Jacob & Esau
v. 1 It must have been really scary for Jacob – seeing his brother Esau whom he has cheated of his birthright, coming to him with 400 men. So what did he do?
v. 2 He divided his family into groups: 1st his female slaves and their children, next comes Leah and her children, and last, his most beloved wife Rachel and favored son, Joseph. Isn’t it human instinct to protect those one loves the most?
v. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times until he approached his brother. Wow, the scheming bold Jacob became the scared and meek brother – trying hard to appease his brother.
v. 4 Esau ran to meet Jacob, hugged him and kissed him. A godly miraculous response – for an angered revengeful brother to do… Both brothers wept – tears of joy.. relief? release? sadness… for the lost years?
What followed in the rest of the chapter illustrates the truth of Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in #harmony!
Jacob humbled himself and did his best to reconcile with Esau. God answered his prayer to rescue him from Esau. Even as he prayed, Jacob did his part. Prayer should be accompanied by trust and obedience. Jacob prayed, he was afraid but he trusted God to protect him so he acted and stepped out in faith to meet his brother. He kept calling himself servant and Esau, lord. This is #humility.
Esau for his part, willingly forgave Jacob and even turned down Jacob’s gifts at first. He forgave not because of the gifts nor the words that Jacob offered. It is something God-like and godly. It must have been quite liberating to #forgive and give up the vengeance he wanted to do to Jacob.
Moral of the story: Reconciliation is a two way street: The one who offends must be willing to humble himself and seek reconciliation. The offended party must be willing to forgive and actively love – love in action, in word and deed. There is no such thing as irreconcilable differences. God’s love is the antidote. God himself showed us the way towards reconciliation.
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
