# 34 2023 Dev. Gen.33:4. Reconciliation! Read all of chapter thirty three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Gen.33:4 “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.”
Gen.33 Is about Esau coming to meet Jacob with his four hundred men, a small army. When Jacob heard he was coming he went into panic mode, dividing up his camp into two groups. When he actually saw them coming he again went into a defensive mode, dividing up his people. One could ask the question: where was his trust in God? Jacob had seen the angels of the Lord accompanying him on his way. God had blessed him at Peniel, God had physically wrestled with him. I think that it was not lack of faith, given the irresponsible life style of Esau that Jacob had experienced, he did not trust him, especially that Esau brought all of his men.
Vs.1-3 Jacob takes defensive actions. But Jacob “went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.” This was cultural at this time, bowing seven times in a row meant complete submission.
Vs.4-11 “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him…” To his credit, Esau wanted a peaceful reconciliation. That would mean Esau would except Jacob’s gift but he was reluctant to do so, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” But Jacob persisted on giving the gifts and Esau agreed to take them. Accepting the gift has a deeper meaning, this could be Jacob’s way of undoing his deception to get the blessing. In Hebrew the same word is used for a gift and for a blessing.
Vs.12-17 Esau wanted to travel together with Jacob but Jacob dissuaded him, nor did Jacob want any help from Esau’s men. I think Jacob could see that Esau’s life style would not be conducive to herding and then there was the promise of God; Jacob was to inherit the promise to Abraham and Isaac,: “ I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Gn 17:6-7
The promise is for us as well: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”(Acts 2:38,39)
Vs.18-20 Jacob had no intention of going to Seir, more than likely Esau was aware of it. Instead he enters the land of Canaan near Shechem . “There he set up an alter and called it El Elohe Israel.” (See note)
This a story about reconciliation, even after twenty years. God had blessed them both so that there would no contention between them over goods, God changed both Jacob and Esau perspective on life. God created the conditions for reconciliation. Trust and prayer! Is there someone you should reconcile with?
© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.
Heavenhigh 