Today’s Reading: Genesis 33-34,36; Psalm 32
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! – Psalm 32:1-2
FORGIVENESS
Then Jacob went on ahead. When he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. – Genesis 33:3-4
When Jacob cheated Esau out of his father’s blessing of the firstborn, Esau vowed to kill Jacob. Rebekah once again came up with a plan. Jacob was sent with Isaac’s blessing to visit her brother, Laban, with the instructions to stay there until Esau cooled off, and to marry one of Laban’s daughters.
Now, years later, Jacob was returning home and Esau was coming out to greet him. Unsure of his brother’s intentions, Jacob fearfully approached Esau. He bowed to the ground seven times, a sign of respect given to a king. Emotions rose as Esau responded to his brother’s humility with grace and forgiveness. Introductions were made and gifts were extended, as they reclaimed their brotherhood.
“What a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!” – Genesis 33:10b
REVENGE
Consider this reunion between Jacob and Esau in contrast to the reaction of Jacob’s sons when their sister was wronged. Jacob set up camp with his family outside the town of Shechem. His daughter, Dinah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area. The local prince saw Dinah, seized her and raped her. Afterwards, he expressed his love for her and tried hard to win her affection. He begged his father to work it out so that he could marry the daughter of Jacob.
A hand of friendship was extended along with a request for the families to intermarry and live in peace. Jacob’s sons deceived Hamor and his son Shechem. They promised friendship but instead chose vengeance. They murdered all the men in the town, plundered their livestock and possessions, then led their women and children back to their camp as captives. Jacob chastised his sons and pointed out to them the danger they had put their whole family in by carrying out their revenge.
The weight of anger and bitterness is a heavy burden to carry through life. When we insist on justice and take matters into our own hands, we find ourselves choosing sin instead of grace, revenge instead of forgiveness. We hurt ourselves more than we realize as we carry the heaviness of grudges and hard feelings.
When Isaac realized that Jacob had deceived him and wrongfully taken the blessing that he intended to give to Esau, he gave his oldest son the gift of these wise words: “You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. You will live by the sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.” – Genesis 27:39-40
Perhaps Isaac is taking this moment to teach his son that it is up to him to decide how long he will carry the burden of this wrong committed against him. It is his choice whether or not to be weighted with anger or choose the freedom of forgiveness. Choosing hatred would hurt him more than anyone.
Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. – Colossians 3:13 (The Message)
Father God, will you forgive us for holding on to grudges and hanging on to hurt feelings. Will you give us the strength to let go and the wisdom to make peace. Will you give us the courage to have some difficult conversations and the integrity to offer the embrace of forgiveness to those who have wronged us or someone we love. Lord, will you set us free from the burdens we have carried for much too long. May others see the face of God where they once saw bitterness and anger. Amen.