Jacob Makes Amends to Esau

And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. Genesis 32:3-12

Steps: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Jacob recognizes that he stole things from his brother and he is now ready and able to make amends for his behavior. He gets a report that his brother Esau is coming to meet him with an army of 400 men. Jacob gets afraid and does what only a recovering person can do and that is go to God for help, encouragement, and direction. He goes to God and pleads God’s promises. He asks how can God fulfill His promises if he is dead. He recognizes that he is not worthy of help but asks God for help out of great need and mercy.

Prayer for Today: God we are just like Jacob. We are not worthy of Your care but we need Your care. Please do for us what You did for Jacob. We claim these promises in Your name.