Reconciliation
Read This Week: Genesis 33
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 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. – Genesis 33:1-4 NIV
It has been said that a sign of being an authentic Christian is not how well we avoid issues and conflict but how we respond to it. Being quick to take offense and slow to forgive and seek reconciliation is a mark of the world; anyone can do that. But being slow to take offense and quick to forgive and seek reconciliation is another thing altogether. Forgiving a person who has mistreated us and seeking to reconcile with them is not easy. The difficulty makes it powerful and reflective of the person of Jesus Christ. Genesis 33 exemplifies this, where we read a captivating story of reconciliation and brotherhood between Jacob and Esau. This chapter unfolds with tension, uncertainty, and, eventually, the power of forgiveness.
This chapter picks up after the dramatic events of Genesis 32, where Jacob wrestles with God and comes upon his estranged brother, Esau. The encounter is laden with fear and anticipation as Jacob prepares to face the consequences of his past actions. Having deceived Esau years ago, Jacob is now confronted with the possibility of retribution.
But as the brothers draw near, the unexpected happens. Instead of seeking revenge, Esau runs towards Jacob and embraces him. Reconciliation is profound, symbolizing forgiveness and letting go of past grievances. It challenges our understanding of human nature and the power of transformative encounters. It also invites us to reflect on the theme of forgiveness. Esau’s ability to forgive Jacob helps us see the beauty of compassion, letting go, and choosing reconciliation over retaliation. It prompts us to consider our relationships and the capacity that God gives us for forgiveness through the power of His Holy Spirit.
This time between Jacob and Esau is more than just a reunion; it is a life-changing experience. It signifies growth, maturity, and the potential for change in individuals. It encourages us to embrace the possibility of transformation in our own lives and relationships, even in the face of past mistakes. Through their vital, gracious moment, the once-estranged brothers rekindle their bond and remind us of the importance of family relationships and the healing that forgiveness can bring.
Genesis 33 is a picture of God’s reconciliation with us. We had a broken relationship with God. We were dead in our sin, disobedience, and rebellion. God did not have to forgive us. In His holiness, He could have easily withheld the way for us to experience forgiveness and propitiation for our sins. Instead, like Esau, God came to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Through His great love, He embraced us, called us brother and sister, and forgave us. More than that, He desires a connection with us on the other side of reconciliation. We should do that for others and want the same with them.
Genesis 33
God wanted me to focus on the following verses:
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.”
God said to me:
“As life changes so do the things around you. Your life is an ever evolving experience. Just because I say something at a different point in your life doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be communicating with me regularly. Keep me with you and that is all the favor you need.”
Its easy for us to get stuck in a loop of things that we “think” we should be doing. In this case its almost like Jacob is creating his own religion based on his worldly understanding of what he thinks he should be doing. Keeping our relationship with God is like any relationship; it takes effort. God is the best friend we could ever have as He will pick up with us regardless of the time passing, however what God says at one point in our lives may have different meaning later on. Its up to us to stay close with God and work with Him day in and day out to truly embrace His peace and love for us.
Genesis Chapter 33 Verse 13
But Jacob replied, You know, my lord, that’s a children are tender and delicate and need gentle care, and the flocks and herds with young are of concern for me; for if the men should overdrive them for a single day, the whole of the flocks would die.
Genesis Chapter 33 Verse 14
Let my Lord, I pray you, pass over before his servant; and I will lead on slowly, governed by [consideration for] the livestock and set the pace before me and the endurance of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.
Genesis Chapter 33 Verse 15
Then Esau said, Let me now leave with you some of the people who are with me, But [Jacob] said, What need is there for it? Let me find favor in the site of my lord.
~The New Israel~
God Is Saying To Me:
When you decide to pick up my cross and follow me, don’t lay it back down! Trust me in all things. Seek Me, My wisdom and direction for your life. Don’t operate in fear or deceit. I will help you navigate the tough situations. Don’t be like Jacob, operating his endeavors with Me one minute and then leaving Me out of the plan, the next. Instead, be like Israel, the contender, operating with Me in all things because I have overcome man and now you operate with Me.
What This Means To Me:
No matter what happens in life, we must trust our heart and soul to God. It’s not good to renig or revert to our old nature and ways of planning. We have won the battle of the flesh and of the world. Now when family issues or decisions have to be made, go to God first, seeking divine intervention and wisdom from Him and then be obedient to His words for us. We can’t serve the world and God at the same time. We must decide to not be a Jacob, directed by the flesh a lot of the time, but be B an Israel, directed by the Holy Spirit and we must never lay our cross down. Thank you God that we dwell in you and you and us and I choose to serve you over the world! ❤️
Have you ever extended your hand in friendship, offered assistance, or shared your love, only to face rejection, neglect, or even condescension?
I’ve experienced this personally, and it was deeply disheartening. It saddened me, not just for my own feelings of rejection, but for the person on the other side, who was missing out on something that could be profoundly enriching for them.
Reflecting on these moments, I can’t help but ponder how God must feel when He is ignored or dismissed. When individuals overlook His presence, they forsake the extraordinary blessings He intends for them, choosing instead a path centered on their own desires.
From this perspective, I’ve learned a few vital lessons:
1. Embrace the love of God, whether it’s directly from Him or manifested through the kindness of others. Do not turn away from the divine love that seeks you.
2. Approach your relationship with God and His creations with seriousness and gratitude. Recognize the value in what you’re given and strive to reciprocate that generosity, paying it forward in whatever ways you can.
3. Discover the richness that comes from living a life dedicated to loving, serving, and honoring God and those around you. Your life will be immeasurably fuller as you embrace the joy of giving and receiving love in the image of God’s boundless grace.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Genesis 33
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240303-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Watermark.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240303-Worship2.wav
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Genesis 33:1 Then Jacob looked up, and saw Esau coming with four hundred men
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and hugged his neck and kissed him, and they wept [for joy].
How was saying to me
Family matters to Me, Forgiveness is good because it’s a gift from Me because it sets you free and it sets the other person free.
Jacob was walking in fear in this situation instead of trusting Me.
In life people can walk into fear and miss what I have for them, it doesn’t mean that I’m not there because I Am, I give free will so you can either walk with Me or go your own way.
My way will be easier. Your way without Me can be different, difficult but I Am With you, waiting for you to get back in the Spirit so we can continue in the Journey together.
When you walk in Faith with Me you don’t have to walk in fear and you will feel My Joy and peace and it’s good, so even when it’s hard do it because it brings joy ❤️
What this means to me is
FEAR is false evidence appearing real
That’s what fear is
When we take our eyes off Jesus we can come up with all kinds of thoughts that can get us off track.
To Father God family matters, relationships matters to Him!
It’s us that can make things worse, make a ant hill look like a mountain, play re-runs over and over God is into reconciliation, unity,
He wants us to walk in the Spirit not the old nature. When we walk in the Spirit with Him good comes out of it!
So choose forgiveness and continue to walk through it with God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit
He will always guide you in the right direction!
Thank you Father God for Your gift of forgiveness, Love, unity and understanding
I love you all ❤️❤️️
This week I got a song in Genesis chapter 33
Worship
Let’s come together to worship our Lord let’s come together to worship our Lord Lifting our hands singing hallelujah hallelujah we believe in you as we go through our days we are blessed because we have you have you in the middle guiding us through when storms or distractions comes our way we have you we have you teaching us helping us guiding us through. We are blessed because of your love your forgiveness your kindness you give us grace and mercy, so let’s come together to worship our Lord worship our Lord. Amen.
Life sometimes can be difficult, but when we put Jesus in the middle, and when we ask him to help us, he does❤️❤️ Jesus only wants the best for you and me.