Israel Meets Esau

And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves. And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. Genesis 33:1-11

Steps: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

The fearful thing that Israel ran from he has now met in the fear and power of God. Israel is now reunited with his brother but this time they are united without the power struggle or the need to get possessions. Both parties have much wealth and Israel has made his amends. He now trusts that God will provide. Esau is gracious and wonders about all of the gifts but he receives them from Israel and Israel sets up his home in the land of Canaan near the city of Shechem.

Prayer for Today: Thank You God that You can reunite the most stubborn of people. We don’t understand how You do it but You are able. We want to learn how to trust in Your care and in Your plans. Help us to be brought into full harmony with You and Your plans for us.