The Story - Chapter 2 - Genesis 32-33

Family reunions can be stressful and they can also be the highlight of the year.  If you are the one planning the reunion there is much thought and effort involved to pull this feat together.  Timing is important, for you have to plan the event during the time of year families can travel together, so that means during the months when children are out of school.

Then there are financial issues to consider.  The location for this party needs to be easily accessible.  Unless your family is wealthy, you would not reserve the Intercontinental Motel on Maui.  So, it is important to consider all aspects of family when pulling those folks together.

Then there are relationships to consider.  It is important this special time together as family is peaceful and there are a few cousins who do not get along with one another.  Oh, don’t forget that Aunt Sadie and Aunt Agnes don’t speak to each other.  The sisters had a feud many years ago and neither has let it go.  At least that is the story told by their families.

Jacob and Esau experienced a strained relationship.  Many years ago, Jacob deceived their father into giving him, Esau’s birthright.  The guilt Jacob carried for the many years the two were apart was over-whelming.  Perhaps at this stage of his life he wanted to make things right with his brother.  The meeting that was planned, the family reunion of sorts, was beginning to come together and Jacob was getting a case of the nerves.  His conscience took over and he feared for his life and the lives of his loved ones.

“Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.” (Genesis 32:11)

Jacob wanted to make peace and have his brother back in his life.  “Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.” (Genesis 32:3)

Isn't it time we too examine those fractured relationships, isn’t it time to face up to the ones we have wronged and rebuild the love.  So often we have magnified the separation in our own minds and once a step is taken to right a wrong, love takes over.

We will find the same thing with God.  If our relationship with Him is broken, we only need take a step toward Him and He will meet us more than half-way.  He will take a giant step over all the stuff we laid between and bridge the gap with love.  Like Jacob who felt the warm embrace of his brother Esau after years of separation, we too can rest in the arms of our loving Father.

Read Genesis 32-33 here

Listen to Genesis 32-33 here