(Gen 32:1-32; 33:1-20)

God told Jacob to go back home to Bethel, in the Promised Land. But there was a problem. Long ago, he cheated his brother Esau taking his blessing and the right of the first born. Esau planned to kill him. Jacob was afraid of Esau. Along the way home, he had to meet his brother Esau. Reconciliation was necessary for peace to reign. Jacob needed a miracle. The brothers had not seen each other for 20 years. Jacob meets some angels where he camped. God is encouraging him. He then sends his servants to meet Esau and gives him generous gifts. This was a wise decision. “A gift in secret pacifies anger” (PV 21:14).

Now see what Jacob is doing in the face of danger. He plans; prays to God; and send a present to Esau. These are good lessons for all. Do what you can to avoid trouble. Expecting crisis, Jacob arranges his family and servants in different groups; to save some in case Esau wants to kill him. Then Jacob does the most important thing: he prays to find favor with his brother. That night, Jacob has an encounter with God who comes as an Angel to wrestle with him. Jacob deeply desires God’s blessings and not just escape from danger. The Angel hurts his hip and defeats him. He is broken, body and spirit. He is a different man. His name and identity are changed from Jacob (Deceiver) to Isreal (Prince with God). God has humbled him. In the morning, limping, leaning on his staff, a humbled Jacob is now ready to meet with Esau.

Jacob was told that Esau is coming towards him with 400 armed men. He is afraid again. But God has answered his prayer. Esau surprised him. He too has changed. He is not the same angry bitter man of long ago. Esau runs towards Jacob and embraces him. They both wept. They see that God has blessed both. The war between them is over. They now appreciate the peace of God! This is Esau’s most noble moment in the Bible. Jacob humbles himself. He bows before Esau not just once, but seven times. He calls himself ‘your servant’ and calls Esau ‘my Lord’. Jacob insists that Esau should receive his many presents. Esau does so. Jacob repeatedly says: ‘God has given me all that I have’. He acknowledges the Lord and gives Him glory for his life, family and prosperity. This is a humble man talking.

Why did Esau forgive Jacob? One explanation is that Esau has been forgiven by God, that he too became saved. Only forgiven men can forgive their enemies. Though he married pagan women, Esau’s first two sons are named to give glory to God: Eliphaz (The Strength of God) and Reuel (The Joy of God). Esau wants to join Jacob for the journey home. Jacob gently refuses. Esau goes ahead. Jacob promises to meet him later. But Jacob never did that. He went in another direction. Lesson: reconciliation between men may have boundaries. Their descendants continued to fight one another, but on this day, peace reigned in the hearts of these two brothers. Praise the Lord!

These are some practical lessons about forgiveness and reconciliation:

*Forget the Past! This story says nothing about past events. Resolving all the details is not always necessary. You can forgive one another and be friendly. Each case is different. Love “keeps no record of wrongs” (1Cor13:5; NIV). Love puts down the weapon of guilt of past sins.

*Love seeks the best in another. Esau came with 400 men not to kill Jacob, but to protect him as he was going home. That is love!

*Somebody must lead the process. The guilty one should make the first move. Jacob was the guilty one and he came to Esau with gifts

*Humility is always needed. Jacob approached Esau as a servant and calling him ‘Lord’ and bowing to him 7 times. Most people are too proud to reconcile. They attract attention to their achievements. Pride is a great hindrance to peace. God humbled both Jacob and Esau.

*Prayer is the key! It was not Jacob’s plan to protect his family that succeeded. It was his prayer. God answered his prayer.

*Those who have received God’s Grace should trust in God’s promise of protection when they seek reconciliation with an enemy.

*Each person has their own speed in applying these lessons. Esau went home with his men. Jacob was slower as he went towards Bethel.

*God must be acknowledged and praised. Jacob acknowledges and praises God as the source of his life and blessings.  

*Generosity is necessary. Jacob gave Esau generous gifts of more than a million US$.

If you calculate the total value of all the animals Jacob sends to Esau, at today’s value, I read it is about 655,000$. The animals Jacob sent were enough for Esau to start his own farm and to make millions. I knew that Jacob was rich, but I did not know he was that rich! He sent more than millions of naira to find favor in the sight of his enemy, his brother Esau. These are some lessons about this extraordinary gift: Reconciliation is expensive. It points to the Cross where Jesus died to reconcile us to God the Father. The gift went ahead of Jacob. It was more than a gift to a man. It was a sacrifice to God. It was given just before God met with Jacob and changed his name and destiny.

God is the God of peace, mercy, grace and forgiveness. Reconciliation is the work of Grace manifested at the Cross. We can only be reconciled with others when we acknowledge the price God had to pay for reconciliation. His Son Jesus Christ died on the Cross so that sinners become the friends and sons of God. Reconciliation is done by faith and through Love. It leads to peace! Worship the Lord!