Genesis 33
Genesis 33
Let’s review the situation between Jacob and Esau up to this point: Esau gave Jacob his birthright, Jacob stole Esau’s blessing, Esau was mad enough that he wanted to kill Jacob for it, so Jacob fled and has been gone for over 20 years. Jacob has sent gifts ahead of him to try to get on Esau’s good side and to shield his crippled self and his family because he is expecting an attack. But what happens instead of an attack on Jacob and his family? Undeserved mercy from the last place Jacob expected.
This story reminds me very much of the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The son has wronged his father greatly, and comes back ready to beg and plead for forgiveness. I picture an old father, who has been watchful for the return of his younger son, running to meet a shocked young man, and not only readily forgiving him but celebrating his return.
When someone has wronged me, my first instinct is not to show mercy and kindness. But that is what God calls us to because that is what He does for us. Romans 2:4 says that God’s kindness is what leads us to repentance. Why do we expect our wrath to be what causes people to turn back to God or even just to reconcile with us? It’s experiencing grace that has an impact on people.
We should run to our limping brother for reconciliation and forgiveness just like God runs to us when we turn back to Him.
Do you think Joseph thought of his father and uncle’s reconciliation when he was forgiving his own brothers? Do you see any other similarities to this story and the prodigal son story? How can you show grace to someone today?
By: Kaitlin White
Let’s review the situation between Jacob and Esau up to this point: Esau gave Jacob his birthright, Jacob stole Esau’s blessing, Esau was mad enough that he wanted to kill Jacob for it, so Jacob fled and has been gone for over 20 years. Jacob has sent gifts ahead of him to try to get on Esau’s good side and to shield his crippled self and his family because he is expecting an attack. But what happens instead of an attack on Jacob and his family? Undeserved mercy from the last place Jacob expected.
This story reminds me very much of the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The son has wronged his father greatly, and comes back ready to beg and plead for forgiveness. I picture an old father, who has been watchful for the return of his younger son, running to meet a shocked young man, and not only readily forgiving him but celebrating his return.
When someone has wronged me, my first instinct is not to show mercy and kindness. But that is what God calls us to because that is what He does for us. Romans 2:4 says that God’s kindness is what leads us to repentance. Why do we expect our wrath to be what causes people to turn back to God or even just to reconcile with us? It’s experiencing grace that has an impact on people.
We should run to our limping brother for reconciliation and forgiveness just like God runs to us when we turn back to Him.
Do you think Joseph thought of his father and uncle’s reconciliation when he was forgiving his own brothers? Do you see any other similarities to this story and the prodigal son story? How can you show grace to someone today?
By: Kaitlin White
1 Comment
Great thoughts!!! What if we had that heart for people?