Read Genesis 33
Jacob Meets Esau
1 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. 2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 5 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.”
6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.
8 Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”
“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.
9 But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
10 “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. 11 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.
12 Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.”
13 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. 14 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.”
15 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.”
16 So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. 17 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.
18 After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. 19 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. 20 There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.
Go Deeper
Among the most famous of Jesus’ parables is the story of the prodigal son. It tells about the choices of a man who left his father to throw his life away in wild living. When he came to his senses, he decided to go back to his father and ask for forgiveness. We read in Luke 15:20, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Does that sound familiar? The prodigal son story could very well be based off of the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 33! In fact, the verses are almost identical. Genesis 33:4 says, “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.” Jacob, despite all of his scheming and the fear of retribution from Esau, is shown a great mercy.
The parallels between these two stories are powerful. We love the story of the prodigal son because it tells us about the character of our Heavenly Father. The story of Jacob and Esau is a great partner to that story because it reminds us that we can live in that same way. While Esau had much to be angry about, he chose to forgive with abandon. Instead of meeting Jacob with judgment, he ran to him with open arms. This type of forgiveness and grace can change the course of a family or a friendship. While we have been loved deeply by our Heavenly Father, today we also get the chance to love others in the same way. Let’s not hesitate in doing good, but instead run towards those who are the most broken.
Both the prodigal son and Jacob expected to face judgment when they returned to their kin but instead were greeted with love and mercy. This is how our heavenly father treats His enemies and calls us to as well. Second Corinthians 5:18 tells us that through Christ, God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Thanks be to God for His steadfast love and mercy. Let’s pray that we are able to take the baton of reconciliation from our heavenly Father and bring it to a world that needs the Gospel.
Questions
What stuck out to you about Esau in this chapter?
What characteristics does Esau share with God in this chapter?
Who do you need to forgive today? How can you intentionally show them the same kind of love and mercy that the Father has shown you?
Did You Know?
In verse 3, it mentions that Jacob bowed to the ground seven times as he approached Esau. Bowing down seven times was the sign of respect given to a king. Here, Jacob was showing tremendous humility as he tried to dispel any thoughts of revenge from Esau.
7 thoughts on “Genesis 33”
Abide
Renew my mind
Jacob wrested because fear crept in. God had already assured him that He was going to complete what He had promised. I wrestle between faith in fear daily. I believe, trust God and then comes the fear of what ifs. Let me help God, scheming, asking God for help but then not letting Him follow through.
Failing
Not listening to hear and obey. This is a terrible downfall with very serious consequences. When we look back and see where we failed, then how that resulted in consequences, we can grow IF we let God complete His promises. We try to forget our sins but ours sins do not forget us. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
God, oh how I desire to fully, completely, unwaveringly trust and abide in YOU! I can and do for a hot minute then here comes intrusive, condeming, scheming, plotting thoughts about how to help You or selfishly me. God this whole time thing is where I also struggle. I want things yesterday, not the whole waiting, growing in my faith timing. Please forgive me for rushing. God help my conflict between faith and fear, trusting and scheming, asking and not letting You follow through. God (Isaiah 41:10 (AMP) I do not fear [anything], for You are with me; I will not be afraid, for You are my God. You say You will strengthen me and I am assured You will help me. God You will certainly take hold of me with Your righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]. You, God have not given me the spirit of fear but of power (dynamite=dynamis) of love (Hesed) and a sound mind. I will endeavor to not be anixous, but by praying and discussing with You, God, I will let my request be made known and You promise peace. Thank You God that I keep on giving back those anixous thoughts and let You help me to crowed out fear and renew my mind and abide. God thank You for the minutes of this day that I give You glory and honor in all my words, actions, and thoughts in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Genesis 33:4
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Who do you need to forgive? Is there any wrong that you are allowed not to forgive?
The testimony below is from a dear brother in the Lord and close friend of mine. His wife divorced him after his grievous sin was revealed.
What you will not hear in this testimony is that his wife did come to Regeneration the night Curtis shared this story. Some months later they were remarried.
Again, is there anyone in your life you need to forgive?
https://www.watermark.org/message/5329-curtis-lust-anger-2
Powerful. Participating in Regeneration has and is transforming my life, Thanks be to our Sovereign God.
GRACE-a gift given that cannot be earned, unmerited favor
(Jacob, the schemer, was given grace by his brother.)
MERCY-receiving compassion when punishment is deserved
(Esau received Jacob with no malice, although he had every right to retaliate.)
JUSTICE-giving/getting what is deserved
(God alone is holy and just.)
All 3 of these are evidenced in this narrative between Jacob and Esau reminding us how the Savior would redeem and restore all the brokenness in this world. “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that he would give his only Son to make a wretch his treasure.”
Forgiveness benefits all. God is aware that we all fall short yet allows us a way back to Him. God teaches us forgiveness, forgives us and can use us for His purposes. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
4 “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.“
Wow! Esau is certainly taking the high road here! And yet, Jacob (but isn’t his name now Israel?) still seems to be deceptive and scheming. That is the way he was raised by his mother and that is how he has gone about life to date. It is really hard to change those ingrained habits, even in the face of such love and mercy from his wronged brother.
This is a great story! I wish we got to listen into more of their conversation. How was Esau just chill and didn’t care to talk about his hurt and the stolen family blessing more…?