GENESIS 33: 1 – 11

Jacob was deeply apprehensive about meeting his brother. As a precautionary measure, therefore, he sent his animals and servants ahead in three groups with the officer of his animals as a gift to Esau [Genesis 32:13-21]. Similarly, he divided his wives and children into three groups and went ahead of them himself, bowing to the ground, to meet Esau.

“BUT ESAU RAN TO MEET JACOB AND EMBRACED HIM, HE THREW HIS ARM AROUND HIS NECK AND KISSED HIM, AND THEY WEPT”. [GENESIS 33:4]

What a surprise; what an emotional meeting. Esau warmly embraced his brother Jacob and it took a great deal of persuasion for Esau to accept Jacob’s gift because it was evident he was no longer angry with Jacob. The two brothers were wonderfully reconciled.

Obviously, it was Esau’s readiness to forgive Jacob that made this reconciliation possible. When we are annoyed and deeply hurt, we need to pray for grace to be able to forgive whoever it is, no matter why, when or how we are wronged. Forgiveness heals broken relationship and indeed is vital keeping the harmony in all relationships. We need to recognize the crucial role of prayer in all this. Certainly, the God who directed Jacob to return home had gone ahead to prepare the heart of Esau for a joyous reconciliation. And God indeed answered Jacob’s prayer.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, grant us the grace of forgiveness in our relationships; and wherever relationships have turned sour, grant us your reconciliation spirit.

Amen.