Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Genesis 33 before reading the devotional below.
Reading today’s chapter, I’m really surprised I have not heard more sermons about Esau. We often hear about Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, whose father welcomed him back with open arms after the son treats him badly. But Esau is perhaps one of the most powerful stories of forgiveness in the Bible. We’ll see another one soon when we read about one of Jacob’s sons, Joseph, who is probably about 3-5 years old in today’s story. Perhaps watching his Uncle Esau forgive his father was one of Joseph’s earliest memories. Imagine the influence that might have had in his life, and in the entire history of Israel!
Esau had every right to be angry with Jacob, and he certainly would have been well within his rights to at least bring up the offenses between the two of them. Jacob’s apprehension is a sign that it would have been reasonable for Esau not to welcome him back. Verse 4 describes a moving scene: “Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.” That’s not the behavior of a man who has hung on to bitterness over being wronged.
Here’s your freedom for today:
Forgiveness always sets you free.
Reconciliation, which we see in this story, is possible when both parties are willing to lay aside old ways and start over. That’s not always the case in situations where harm has occurred. However, forgiveness is always possible and it’s a key to freedom. Even if Jacob had never returned to his homeland, Esau had found freedom in releasing anger and forgiving his brother. If he had not worked through those feelings of anger, it’s unlikely he would have been ready to embrace his brother and weep with him. Esau could have lived a life of bitterness, longing for the day he might get revenge if Jacob ever crossed his path again. He chose freedom. What do you need to release and forgive today?