Genesis 33:1-4
Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah and Rachel and the two maidservants. He put the maidservants out in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. He led the way and, as he approached his brother, bowed seven times, honoring his brother. But Esau ran up and embraced him, held him tight and kissed him. And they both wept. Genesis 33:1-4 (MSG)
How could this happen? Why had Jacob prepared so well for meeting Esau? Jacob's story is full of fear, humility and compassion. Only God could soften Esau's heart so that he welcomed his brother with a kiss, a hug and tears.
The story of Esau and Jacob isn't Old Testament stuff. It happens all the time that families are torn apart because of greed and inheritance. I grew up in a farm family. My dad, who was only educated to the third grade, provided for a family of 9 on a small farm. The two times I remember my mother crying were when my dad died and when the inheritance of her family farm went to her brother. I vividly remember watching my mom and dad sitting on the picnic table in our yard and talking about this with my mother ending up in tears. I remember the confusion for us kids that we could no longer speak with or play with our first cousins that went to our same small school. After my dad passed away in his early 60's, my mom reconciled with her brother. It took courage and humility for the two of them to get over the years of distance. This story is a small sample of what has happened for generations when it comes to inheritance.
Jacob knew that he had done wrong and hoped to shield himself from what he anticipated to be a reunion filled with anger and resentment. They found that the love they had for each other surpassed the ways in which they had hurt each other.
We aren't promised tomorrow. There are many siblings and parents and adult children who have this same fear of reconciling. Only God's grace will allow us to soften our hearts and open our minds to being able to heal the hurts of the past.
Questions for Reflection:
- How can you allow yourself to forgive with an open heart when you fear that you will be hurt again?
- When is it best to forgive in your heart without reconciling with someone who has hurt you and will probably continue to hurt you?
Prayer:
Forgiving and grace filled God, please help us to do for others what we pray that you will do for us. Your mercy sustains us and your love is a model for us to love others. Thank you for always giving us a second chance. We pray for all who are suffering due to distance from those that they love. Amen.
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