Read: Genesis 33
This chapter
is the account of Jacob’s reconciliation with Esau. Jacob could see Esau coming with his four
hundred men, so he arranged his wives and children in order of importance with
Rachel and Joseph being given the preferred position (v. 1-2). Jacob then went out in front, approaching
Esau in a submissive posture of bowing (v. 3).
But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him with kisses and tears (v.
4). This showed that Esau held no animosity
toward his brother, and that although Esau had also made mistakes in the past
he had matured and was choosing to do the right thing. Esau was then introduced to Jacob’s children
and wives (v. 5-7) and then questioned the presents that Jacob had sent to him
(v. 8). Esau declined the gifts but
Jacob insisted that he keep them. Jacob was
making restitution for the wrongs that he had done to his brother and brought
it all back to God’s gracious dealing with him.
A remarkable parallel is made between God’s unmerited favour and Esau’s
willingness to forgive (v. 10).
Esau suggested
that they journey back together but Jacob refused using the weariness of his
animals and children as his excuse (v. 12-14).
It seems as though Jacob might not have trusted Esau entirely. Esau then offered to leave some of his men
with Jacob but Jacob instead insists that God will take care of him (v. 15). So
Esau returned to Seir and Jacob set up his household at Succoth (v. 17). Jacob then came safely to Shechem (in the
land of Canaan) and bought the piece of land where he had pitched his tent (v.
19) for a hundred pieces of money. He
then built an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel (v. 20) signifying his
commitment to worship the Lord.
Prayer and Journaling
1. How
sincere and genuine the conduct of Esau!
He did not hold a grudge but rather received his brother, who had
wronged him, with forgiveness and love.
Ask the Lord to show you if you have any unforgiveness towards
someone. This could be recent or from
the past – ask God to reveal to you the root of the unforgiveness. Then confess this as sin and pray a blessing
on the person who wronged you.
2. Jacob
made restitution for the pain that he caused his brother Esau. Restitution means that you give back
something that has been lost or stolen, it means that you make amends for the
pain that you have caused someone or that you compensate for any damage done to
a person. Ask the Lord to show you if
there is anybody whom you need to make restitution to. What does this look like in your
relationships? Commit to following
through on what God shows you.
3. This
chapter ends with Jacob building an altar signifying his commitment and worship
to the Lord. God had been gracious with
Jacob and did not give him what he deserved but rather reconciled him to his
homeland and to his brother! God is
good! Spend some time in worship of the
Lord, praising Him for the good things that He has done for you. He is merciful! He is loving!
He has shown kindness to you.
Write out a prayer thanking Him for each of these things.
