GENESIS

Esau and Jacob's reconcilation

Chapter 32-33

Jacob sat down in his tent,  waiting for the messengers he had sent to return. He rubbed his cold palms together. It was obvious he was anxious. Why won't he be, afterall he had done to his brother.

He feared the worst. He thought Jacob would still be angry. He feared that his brother might still want to kill him.

It hadn't been to long that he had sent those messengers to Esau to inform him of his arrival.

About a moment later, a servant came to his tent to inform him that the messengers had arrived.

He quickly got up and rushed out to meet them, just slowing down before he finally reached them.

They bowed and greeted him before saying
"We came to your brother Esau, and also he comes to meet you, four hundred men with him."
Jacob's eyes widened as fear took a hold of him again and he quickly dismissed the messengers.

He sent for the head servant in charge of his flock and ordered him to divide his flock into bands.
If Esau come to the one company and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
He thought.

He went back into his tent and got on his knees.
"Oh God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which said to me return to your kindred and I will deal well with you... deliver me, I pray You, from the hand of my brother, for I fear him least he will come and smite me"

And the Lord spoke to him, calm and reassuring
"I will surely do you good and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude"

That night, he organized a present for his brother, Esau, comprising of 200 she goats, 20 he goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 nursing camels with their colts, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 she asses and 10 fowls. He hoped it would be enough to appease his brother

The then commanded his servants to go before him with the present, charging them to say it was a present from him, Jacob. While, he and his family followed from behind.

And at night he sent his family and his possessions over the Ford Jabbok and he was left alone.

That was when he wrestled a man till dawn. And after he touched Jacob's thigh, making the hollow get out of joint, he was impressed by Jacob's unfailing persistence. He blessed him and called him Israel. That place was then called Peniel.

***

Jacob lifted up his eyes and saw his brother approaching. He then grouped his wives and their maidservants separately, each with their children. After doing that, he bowed his head 7 times until he approached Esau.

They both stared at each other for a moment. Thought clouded Jacob's mind as he braced himself for whatever was going to happen. Suddenly, Esau came off running towards him. Jacob closed his eyes when Esau was an arms length away, only for him to open them and see his brother hugging him.

"I missed you Jacob" he said, hugging him tighter. Jacib slowly rose his hands and placed them behind Esau, melting in the embrace and tears streamed out their eyes.

Jacob's wives and the maidservants came near, with their children and Jacob introduced them to Esau as his family.

"What's the reason for this? " Esau asked, pointing to the present that Jacob had prepared.

"They are for you" Esau laughed at this then stretched his arms out to his men.

"There's no need brother, I already have enough"

"No, please, for me to know you have truly forgiven me, please accept my gift to you" and after urging him a little more, Esau finally received it.

"Then take some of my men also, so that I can find grace in the sight of my Lord" Esau said.

After a last hug, they parted ways once again.