 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. 2 And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 3 He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. 7 Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. 8 Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” 9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it. 12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” 13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. 14 Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.” 15 So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. 18 And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. 19 And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. 20 There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel. Meditation The work of Jesus reconciles believers to the Father and makes Christians ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Reconciliation between people is fruit of God’s work in us. Jacob’s effort to reconcile with Esau is proof of the blessing of peace he received from wrestling with God (32). Estrangement in relationship compels reconciliation. Jacob passed through Esau’s territory, an unnecessary step geographically but an essential step for Jacob’s conscience. Two decades earlier Jacob had fled from Esau after stealing his birthright and blessing. Now Jacob walks by faith to reconcile with his brother. Reconciliation is dangerous and requires vulnerability. Jacob and his family faced a small army of 400 men (1). Jacob divided his family (2) and kept on the script he had schemed. Jacob followed waves of gifts by courageously going ahead of his family, humbly bowing seven times before coming to Esau. With deliberate emphasis, we see Jacob give a “blessing” to Esau, subtly making reparation for the blessing he had stolen from him (11). Esau’s forgiveness is revealed by receiving the gift without reciprocity, payment for wrongs incurred against him. Jesus gave His life as payment for our wrongs incurred against Him, allowing believers to be reconciled to God by receiving the gift of reconciliation through faith alone. Jesus encourages urgency in reconciliation between Christians (Matthew 5:23-24) and teaches the necessity of forgiveness when a brother repents (Luke 17:3). Reconciliation to God through Christ breaks down the wall of hostility between His people (Ephesians 2:16). Christians have been reconciled with God through the work of Jesus Christ! We must work to reconcile with others. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially a detail from Jacob’s reconciliation with Esau? -What makes the prospect of reconciliation in relationship difficult for you to consider? -How does the reconciling work of Christ compel you to cultivate a culture of reconciliation with others? Who is on your heart you need to begin to move towards reconciliation with, today? Key Verse 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it. Comments are closed.
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