Brothers Reconciled

Genesis 33:1-11, 17-20

GOLDEN TEXT: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.”—Romans 14:19

MANY years had passed since Jacob dreamed that he saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven and angels ascending and descending upon it. At that time he was fleeing from Esau because of the latter’s wrath engendered by the manner in which he had been deprived of the firstborn’s portion of the family birthright. During these years God had blessed Jacob in fulfillment of the promise made to him, so that now he was rich in cattle and goods.

While Jacob, in fleeing from Canaan, was obliged to leave behind everything of a material nature which properly was his, he had received more than compensation in kind, and besides, had enjoyed the rich blessing of knowing that God was his Friend and Caretaker, and would fulfill to him all the gracious promises He had made. Yes, Jacob had been greatly increased and was rich in material possessions; and, what was even more important, he enjoyed the riches of God’s favor.

Now he was returning to Canaan from whence he had not been away long enough to forget one of the reasons he had left; namely, the enmity of his brother Esau. Realizing that soon he would probably have to face his brother, the thought of it troubled Jacob, for he had no idea what Esau’s attitude would be. While Esau, failing to appreciate that part of the birthright which Jacob esteemed so highly, had made a bonafide bargain for it, Jacob feared that bitterness over the transaction might still rankle in his brother’s heart which would now lead to serious results.

Knowing that Esau had been interested mostly in the material advantages of the birthright, Jacob adopted a wise procedure by making his brother a generous gift from his flocks. This was done as an appeasement measure. But more important than this was the fact that Jacob made the matter a subject of special prayer.

Jacob had great faith in God, and God had made wonderful promises to him, so he was justified in looking to Him for protection against the wrath which he feared would prompt Esau to rash action as soon as he learned that his twin brother was returning to Canaan. All of the Lord’s people have a right to pray for whatever the Lord has promised to give them. Praying thus in harmony with the divine will, they are justified in expecting God to answer their prayers.

But while Jacob prayed earnestly for God to protect him and his family, he took whatever precautionary measures he could. By sending Esau a generous gift he was co-operating with God in softening his brother’s heart; for this was the method God used to protect Jacob and his family in order that they might re-enter the Land of Promise in safety.

The goodness of God toward Pharaoh, in removing the various plagues when he agreed to let the Israelites leave Egypt, hardened the Egyptian king’s heart. But there was a family tie of brotherly love in Esau’s heart toward Jacob, which prevailed. To Pharaoh, God’s goodness was accepted as a sign of weakness, but Esau did not so look upon Jacob’s desire to present him with gifts. He not only seemed pleased to see Jacob, but was reluctant to accept the gift offered to him.

The meeting of these two brothers, long separated and estranged; was touching. Each wanted the other to accept a gift as a token of friendship, but both were well supplied with all that they needed, so the warmth of brotherly love stood out the more as being sincere. The fact that Jacob had not hindered Esau from possessing the material advantages accruing to the family through Isaac probably had much to do with his changed attitude.

Noting how wonderfully God had blessed Jacob, perhaps Esau feared that if he were now returning to claim everything which went with the birthright there wouldn’t be much he could do to hinder him. But whatever was in his mind he made it clear that he did not intend to oppose Jacob, and as Jacob had no intention of robbing Esau, there was no valid reason why they should not be friends.

When Jacob found that Esau wished to be friendly he was deeply impressed with the thought that God had overruled in the matter. He said to his brother, “I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God.” This Eastern manner of expression would mean in our language, “Your friendship and favor is an evidence to me of God’s favor.”

This should be the viewpoint of all God’s people. How rich would be our lives if we could view all our joys and trials as providences of God! It would be much easier to forgive our enemies, and love for our brethren would be deeper and more abiding if we accepted the experiences that come to us through them as of God’s appointment, designed for our highest and eternal welfare.

QUESTIONS:

Why was Jacob fearful over the prospect of meeting Esau after so many years of separation?

Had Esau suffered material loss by selling his birthright to Jacob?

What did Jacob mean by saying that to see the face of Esau was like seeing the face of God?

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