Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In yesterday’s sermon from Genesis 33 we read about the reunion of two brothers who hadn’t seen each other for 20 years. Jacob had wronged his brother big-time. As a result, he left the Land of Promise and went to live in Haran, the land his grandfather Abraham had come from many years before. He retraced his grandfather’s steps, taking him back to his family’s former land.
We learned that an unwillingness to work out conflicts will always take you backwards. Forgiveness will move a relationship forward!
We learned that while conflict is a part of life, unresolved conflict doesn’t have to be.
Jacob had been the offender. It was only right for him to make the first move towards reconciliation. In Genesis 32 Jacob prepared to meet his brother. He sent a message ahead asking Esau to meet him (vs 5). He made sure Esau knew he wasn’t coming home for a handout. He didn’t have an ulterior motive. He just wanted to reconcile.
Jacob also positioned himself to make reconciliation possible. He bowed down 7 times when he saw Esau. He referred to himself as his brother’s servant (33:5). He brought gifts to try to make restitution for what he had done to his brother. The point is: HE WENT ALL OUT!
When the two brothers met, Esau ran to meet Jacob (33:4). He embraced him and they wept together. Esau demonstrated that he had already forgiven Jacob before he had even asked.
We learned that while reconciliation involves two people forgiveness only requires one. Esau could choose to forgive whether Jacob was sorry or not and whether he asked him to forgive him or not.
Jacob was going to Esau to ask for forgiveness. Esau was coming to the meeting to offer it. What about you? Like Jacob, do you need to initiate a discussion? Or, like Esau, do you need to offer some grace? Will you decide to let this message matter in your life and act on what you know you need to do?
I hope to see you Wednesday for Worship and the Word!
You are loved!
Pastor Melissa
