Gen 33:1 Jacob looked up and there was Esau….
It has been over 20 years since Jacob and Esau have been together. Gen 27:41 reads: Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, ‘The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’ How many families are touched by this same dynamic of anger and hatred? How many family gatherings are filled with conflict and tension?
Gen 33:4a But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embrace him….
I wish we had some idea of what had occurred internally with Esau in the intervening years. The Esau that embraces Jacob in Gen 33 certainly seems to have grown and matured, moved on from anger and hatred. Commentary suggests that because Esau was granted material blessings from Isaac, he was happy, that he did not care about spiritual blessings Jacob received. I’m not sure his tremendous change in attitude could have come from anyone but God. And the complete turnaround gives us hope for families rife with conflict, no matter the reason. If God can turn around Esau’s murderous attitude, surely He can work in any family.
Gen 33:4b …he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this change in their family dynamic. As the holidays approach, so many are filled with apprehension about family gatherings and old wounds. Yet in this reunion between Jacob and Esau, You provide us with hope. Thank You. Guard us. Guide us. Draw us closer as we wait in joyful hope for You. Amen.
Gen 33:11 “Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all that I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.
Have a blessed day.