Genesis 32 & 33
Let us consider the reunion of Jacob and Esau. Jacob had moved away from home to live and work with his uncle Laban for a long time. He hadn't seen his brother Esau in all this time and, as he was coming home, he was a bit leery of how well his reception would go. He had good cause to be anxious about this. You see, Jacob and Esau parted on bad terms. Esau didn't take too kindly to Jacob's trickery. Jacob had used deceit to steal Esau's inheritance: both his birthright and his customary blessing. Consider Esau's initial response: "'Is not he rightly named Jacob (deceiver)? For he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing.' And he said, 'Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?'...And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, 'The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.'" (Genesis 27:36, 41) When Jacob went to live with his uncle Laban, he had fled for his life. After working for his uncle for many years in order to earn his two wives and build up his herds and flocks, he returned to the land of his fathers. During the journey, Jacob, fearing that his brother's wrath was still hot, sent messengers to Esau to feel out the situation and learned that he was coming with 400 men. It seemed Jacob's worst fears had been confirmed: Esau hadn't buried the hatchet; he was coming to make war.
Jacob tried everything to fix the situation. He split into two groups so that, if attacked, at least some could escape. He sent numerous presents to Esau ahead of the reunion. He even ordered his company by least important to most precious to cut down on his losses, should he be attacked. He had speeches prepared and carefully approached Esau. All of this was unnecessary, though, as Esau had a changed heart. When they met, Esau ran to meet Jacob, hugging and kissing him. Esau had forgiven Jacob's deceit and was glad to see his brother. When Jacob had left home, Esau was plotting to kill him. When he returned, Esau had forgiven him. As far as I can tell, that kind of forgiveness can come only from a changed heart. I know a God who can change hearts.
Jacob tried everything he could think of to fix the situation, but without a changed heart, it would have been a mess. Perhaps the gifts and flatteries would have masked the problem enough to keep Esau from killing Jacob, but a changed heart brought forth forgiveness. And forgiveness kept them brothers. Perhaps you have a situation in your life similar to this, where you dread the outcome of a reunion. You can try this and that and a zillion other things, like Jacob did, but I suggest that you pray for your heart to be close to God. And pray for that one that seems to be an enemy. Through fervent prayer, your heart's attitude will change. You'll find forgiveness. And who knows, maybe you'll find a brother.
~ Joel Warren
