Light and Life for Today

51. A Surprising Reunion

Can you remember a time when you were reunited with a family member or a friend after many years? I still remember waiting on a railway platform for the arrival of my grandparents. They lived 3,993 km away so I didn't see them very often at all. So many questions raced through my mind as I waited: Would they still look the same? Would they remember me? What would I say to them? Would they still like me? I hoped they would forgive me for not having written a letter to them for so long! It was silly really because as soon as they stepped off the train, they embraced me and were obviously so happy to see me!

After his experience wrestling with God, Jacob faced the new day ahead of him when he would meet his brother again. So much was riding on this reunion and I imagine that many questions raced through his mind: What will my brother look like after all of this time? Will he recognise me? Will he be happy to see me or seek revenge?

The weight of guilt and fear of retaliation must have been heavy as Jacob suddenly saw his brother approaching and immediately took precautions to protect his family. Perhaps as he limped toward Esau, there was a growing confidence as he remembered his encounter with God and His previous promises:

"Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. "Who are these with you?" he asked.

Jacob answered, "They are the children God has graciously given your servant."

Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

Esau asked, "What's the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?"

"To find favor in your eyes, my lord," he said.

But Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need."

And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. Then Esau said, "Let us be on our way; I'll accompany you."

But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir."

Esau said, "Then let me leave some of my men with you."

"But why do that?" Jacob asked.

"Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord." So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. Jacob, however, went to Sukkoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Sukkoth. After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel."
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭33:1-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

All of Jacob's fears and concerns were put to the side as Esau ran to meet him with a warm embrace! This total forgiveness must have been overwhelming for Jacob. I'm sure he must have wondered if he were dreaming! It's interesting that he compared his brother's forgiveness to God's!

Jacob even tried to return the blessing he had cheated from Esau. After first refusing it, Esau reluctantly accepted, seeing the depths of his brother's regret. His acceptance was an act of forgiveness.

Esau was so touched that he offered to travel with his brother to his home in Edom. Jacob's refusual may have been because of his obedience to God or possibly his underlying fear that his brother had some insincere motives! Maybe Jacob just thought it was wise to keep some space between them!

It certainly was a beautiful reunion! To see all the years of animosity falling away as the two brothers embraced each other and wept, must have been quite a sight for the whole family to witness! There was no rehashing of past events, just quiet forgiveness and love. God had clearly worked in both Jacob and Esau's hearts and they were ready to move on.

Is there someone in your life that you need to be reconciled to? Talk to God about it and trust Him to go ahead and pave the way. Perhaps you feel far away from God. What is stopping you from taking that step toward Him?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this account from Jacob's life which reminds me so much of the way You have forgiven me and lovingly embrace me as part of Your forever family. Thank You that it doesn't matter what I have done, Jesus' blood covers all of my sins and I am always welcome in Your presence, even if I haven't spoken to You for a long time. Thank You that You are saying to me right now:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬