Wednesday, 1/14/2014

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ~ C.S. Lewis

GENESIS 33-35

Jacob looks up and here comes Esau to meet him with his 400 men.  He segments his family and then goes out in front and bows seven times as Esau is approaching.

But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (33:4)

 Esau refuses Jacob's gifts but upon his insistence accepts them.

"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. (33:10-11)

Esau offers for some of his men to stay with Jacob, but Jacob refuses. Instead of returning home, Jacob goes and settles in Shechem.  He settles outside the city.  He ends up getting into a conflict over his daughter and his sons slaughter all the men in the city and take all the goods.  God tells him to go and settle in Bethel.  Upon moving from Bethel, Rachel dies and Jacob finally returns home.  Isaac dies and Esau and Jacob bury him.  

MATTHEW 11

Jesus is approached by John's disciples.  They ask if Jesus is who he said he is...

Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. (4-6)

Jesus then confirms to the crowd that John is the Elijah who was to come.  Jesus then denounces the unrepentant cities. After though he gives a word of rest for those that are weary.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (28-30) 

JOURNAL

Jacob was overwhelmed, he never imagined such a loving response from his brother.  It even appears that he really could not accept it.  Therefore he stayed away until more time had passed before finally returning home to his father.  The text never says...but I would assume he did not want to face Isaac.  Jacob has great difficulty trusting men.  He knows the manipulative ways of his own heart and he assumes the same from others.

It is interesting to note the way Jacob responds to Esau's embrace.  That to be received and forgiven without paying a penance is like "seeing the face of God".  Jacob understands that God's love is pure and is abundantly given.  This is such a beautiful picture of God working through conflict and resolving the issues of the heart in ways that we would never imagine.

Jacob had done a horrible wrong to his brother. He knows and understands the level of his betrayal yet because of Esau's love and forgiveness, Jacob is eventually able to return and be with his Father Isaac before he dies.  

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)