August 15th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Conflict Resolution

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Dear God, with Your help I want to live a life that is a blessing for You and for others.

Read Genesis 33:1-20

[1] Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. [2] He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. [3] He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. [4] But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. [5] Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” [6] Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. [7] Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down. [8] Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. [9] But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” [10] “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. [11] 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. [12] Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.” [13] But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. [14] So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.” [15] Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.” “But why do that?” Jacob asked. “Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.” [16] So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. [17] Jacob, however, went to Sukkoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Sukkoth. [18] After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. [19] For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. [20] There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved” (C.S. Lewis).

Think Further

Just as Jacob could not have anticipated the events of the previous night, neither could he have anticipated how changed Esau’s attitude would be. It’s interesting to note how he arranged his wives and sons in order to meet Esau, leaving his best-beloved and her son to the last. One could speculate on his reasons, but it could have been just the order of preference and/or importance to him. Esau is having none of it: in a scene reminiscent of the father’s actions as his prodigal son returns home (Luke 15:20-24), his first concern is to get past all these unrecognized people and greet Jacob. Verse 4 speaks of their emotion. No doubt there is relief in Jacob’s heart. He is overwhelmed by how glad Esau is, how he speaks to him respectfully, confirms the generous gift, and affirms God in it all. 

It’s also interesting to speculate on why Esau is so magnanimous. The reason for their separation is never mentioned. Maybe he was just happy to let bygones be bygones; maybe with his own increase in family and possessions it no longer mattered that he lost the blessing and birthright he was entitled to; maybe on seeing Jacob’s infirmity he was sorry for him. Whatever the reason, forgiveness is evident in his words and actions. This leads to more speculation as to why Jacob misled him about a future visit, or why he didn’t simply say he was heading, at God’s command, to Bethel and his homeland.

Earlier, I mentioned how a family conflict was resolved; in spite of the difficulty (or perhaps because of it), this relationship became even better. While this family feud is laid to rest here, the attention of each is now focused on his own affairs. Later, Jacob and Esau meet again to bury their father.

Apply

Pray for someone you know who needs to be reconciled to someone else, or to God. Play any part you can.

Closing prayer

Loving Lord, You have forgiven me of my sins, my willfulness, my waywardness. Give me a forgiving heart toward those I need to forgive, also.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store