Genesis 33:1-11 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.
The moment that Jacob feared finally comes to pass. He looks and sees Esau
approaching him with some four hundred men, how his heart must have been in
turmoil and great fear. Jacob must now come face to face with his brother, the
one from whom he stole the blessing from. Jacob seeks to make his respect
and honour for his brother known by bowing repeatedly as they approach each
other. I don’t believe that Jacob expected the response that he received from
Esau. It is a beautiful picture, two estranged brothers who parted in anger are
now reconciled. Esau runs, embraces and kisses his brother, both of them
weeping. They both rejoice in each others prosperity, the manner in which God
has blessed them both and even extend kindness, consideration and love towards
each other.
This event in Jacob’s life must have served as a powerful and memorable
lesson. God had promised many things to Jacob, and now God has brought them to
fulfilment. Jacob is in the Promised Land with a large family, great wealth, and
God had protected and preserved his life for Jacob and Esau are now reconciled.
God had been with Jacob from the day he left Canaan, until he returned to
Canaan. The promises, blessings and covenant proved to be true and God proved to
be faithful, sovereign and powerful. What a day of joy this must have
been!
This passage of Scripture also serves to point us to Christ and the grace
we shall receive when we seek to reconciled to God through Him. Like Jacob, we
too can come to God in humility, seeking after God’s forgiveness and desiring to
see Him honoured and we shall find God’s favour. These verses remind us of the
parable of the Prodigal son in Luke 15. The father runs to embrace his wayward,
sinful, estranged son, forgiveness is given, there is a reconciliation and
restoration. It is a wonderful picture of the Gospel, for in the Gospel it is
not two men, two brothers that are reconciled, it is greater, for it is the
reconciliation of God and man, which brings us into fellowship with God, into
brotherhood with Christ and the fear of God’s judgement against our sin becomes
the joy of receiving God’s favour and adoption.
Heavenly Father, we rejoice today in the fact that You are a God who
loves peace, who desires to see men extending grace, love and forgiveness to one
another, not holding on the past hurts, but seeking to be reconciled to each
other. We thank You that You have set the example in this regard, for You have
established a reconciliation for us, that there might be peace and
fellowship between God and man. We worship You for the grace, love, forgiveness
and salvation that You have extend to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. May You
receive all of our praise and adoration today for You are our faithful, loving,
gracious, promise-keeping, peace-making God and Saviour. Amen.
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