I love this story. I think it’s because somehow I missed it growing up, and when I read it as an adult, it moved me to tears. I remember hearing the part of Jacob’s story from the end of Genesis 32, where he wrestles with God, but I’d never really heard his story from chapter 33—and this story has a happy ending.
We don’t actually get to say that very often about many stories in the Bible, and certainly not the stories in found in Genesis. In fact, every story about Jacob leading up to this one hasn’t necessarily been fun to read. Following Jacob’s narrative, we see that he chooses to collude with his mother in order to steal the birthright from his older brother Esau. He goes on to be deceived into marrying a woman he doesn’t love. And he is exploited by his father-in-law, Laban, forced into years of servitude.
In Genesis 31, Jacob begins to journey back to his home where he will meet his estranged brother, Esau. In stealing Esau’s birthright, Jacob wronged his brother terribly. And now, he brings his wives, children, and livestock on a journey to meet him again. He packs up a massive gift offering, trying to win Esau’s affections (or tolerance) with whatever he can give.
Here’s the stunningly beautiful, perfect portrait of God’s free grace to us: Esau runs to Jacob, embraces him, and says “I have enough, my brother… Keep what you need” (Genesis 33:19). Esau’s reaction moves me to tears and makes me want to shout out in celebration—all at the same time—because this story is a picture of what God offers me. Their reconciliation is just a foretaste of our own reconciliation with our God: a redeemed relationship that we cannot buy, we cannot earn, and we cannot lose. I have wronged God. Apart from Christ, I was estranged from Him. Everything that Jacob did to Esau, I have done ten times over to everyone I know.
I can imagine myself before Him. I’m trembling as I hold out my “good deeds” as an offering to Him, a way to make our relationship right, and He responds by telling me He not only has enough—He is enough.
God provided redemption through Jesus for His children, and His work on the cross is enough to cover every sin. Jesus secured the redemption of those who believe in Him. And the Holy Spirit seals us for the day of redemption, when we will live with God forever. Thanks be to God!
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30 thoughts on "Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau"
This must be where the Jewish Festival of Tents is taken from. I had always wondered. I want to look more into it. Redemption and forgiveness ❤️
I would like to know Esau’s story during Jacob’s years away. He was wronged, but he obviously forgave, moved on, and prospered. In contrast, Jacob held on to fears, always watching his back, and meeting his match in Laban.
Everyone matters to God. Every one. No one is unseen by Him. Whether you are a well-known basketball player, an elderly woman in a nursing home, a soldier in a far away land, an infant in a crib or a homeless person in a tent, all are seen by God. And every one matters. One’s worth is not determined by a bank account, trophies, diplomas, age or address. God loves those He creates and that is every one. His greatest desire is relationship. We see a glimpse of His heart attitude in the Scriptures today. Esau welcomes his estranged brother Jacob simply because he came. Forget the gifts, Jacob. They are immaterial. You came! Esau opens his arms and they embrace. Esau reminds us of God’s goal: reconciliation and restoration. Like Esau, Jesus holds His arms open wide to each of us and says “Come!” Your past doesn’t matter and you don’t need to bring a gift. Just come. Then turn and invite someone else to come. Maybe there’s someone you need to welcome back into your life. More importantly, maybe there is someone you need to introduce to Him.
I come with an offering in hopes of earning your favor. And you, Lord look into my eyes and say, just walk with me. I have wrestled. I have strived all my life and you look beyond the grit of my own selfish pride and embrace me and me alone. The sin and crooked past are dissolved in your embrace. My meager offering is absorbed into your massive love. You have called me good.
Hmmm…not sure why it posted so many times…sorry…
It was such a revelation to me to see the redemption story between Jacob and Esau! Growing up, I only associated Jacob with the stealing of birthright and blessing, all the wife troubles, wrestling with God.
And I missed one of the most significant scenes from Jacob’s life—his reconciliation with Esau. And that redemption story wasn’t based on all the gifts Jacob tried to give Esau to make up for the mess. Redemption came when Esau said, “I have enough. Keep what you have.”
I do the same thing—holding my “good girl-box checker” self out to God, hoping that’s enough. And God reminds ma—HE is enough! Hallelujah!
It was such a revelation to me to see the redemption story between Jacob and Esau! Growing up, I only associated Jacob with the stealing of birthright and blessing, all the wife troubles, wrestling with God.
And I missed one of the most significant scenes from Jacob’s life—his reconciliation with Esau. And that redemption story wasn’t based on all the gifts Jacob tried to give Esau to make up for the mess. Redemption came when Esau said, “I have enough. Keep what you have.”
First there is God.
Always there is God.
Almighty Creator, God.
I imagine his huge, powerful-gentle hands, forming dust (much like I made mud pies as a little girl).
Then I picture Him bringing that pile of formed dust to His lips, and like a kiss, placing upon it the breath of life, breathing in a soul, and purpose, into that dirt. And I am created. You are created.
This lifetime He has given me seems long, and very short.
This weekend the news spoke of a star athlete who died in a crash. He will be remembered, at least for a while, for his talent, for the job he did on the court. They call it a tragedy, and I would agree, although possibly not for the same reasons.
This weekend, a young man, a little older than my sons, died in his sleep, unexpectedly, a husband and father of four. A man who loved God. He will be remembered by fewer people, but he will be remembered for the life he lived for God, for the love he showered upon others. For his example of faith. His death too is a great loss, difficult, painful, but founded in the deepest peace because He is eternally home with Jesus.
Two weeks ago yesterday I fell playing pickle ball and hit my head very, very hard. Without going into detail, past physical events and the symptoms I was having, led me to consider if there was anything, anyone, I needed to make things right with…just in case. I am very far from perfect, a definite work in progress, but I also determined that, “as much as it is possible with me,” things were good. I couldn’t think of anyone who would question my love for them. Please don’t take that as boast, it is not meant that way. Simply, in that moment, when I didn’t know if my brain was bleeding and if I would wake the next day, I felt at peace before God regarding how I had tried to live His love. I prayed that my love for Jesus, my witness for Him, would be the residue left from the days God had given me.
Laban, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Esau, dust formed by God and kissed with the breath of life and a soul. Such a mix of good and bad, light and darkness, mistakes and obedience. Such an example of God’s mercy and grace.
The hands that formed them, formed you and me – with a plan and purpose.
Thank you God.
Almighty, Creator God.
Our always-there God.
Our bottom line, Everything God.
We love You and praise You.
Amen and amen.
Beautiful testimony of Gods peace and grace
❤️❤️