Genesis 33

Today’s reading reminded me of 2 popular sayings, 1. “做贼心虚” (literally means feeling guilty for being a thief), and 2. “Time can heal all wounds from the pass”.

Jacob did not only trick Esau of his firstborn birthright, but he also “snatched” the blessings of the firstborn from Esau. I think we all agree that Jacob had gone overboard in coveting what were not rightfully his; and we also have no problem imagining the kind of pain Esau must have felt.

Let’s read today’s chapter to see how these brothers reacted when they see each other after living apart for a long time.

Bible Passage: Genesis 33

Upon hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men, Jacob panicked. Why? Most probably because he felt the guilt about what he had done in the pass, and he feared that Esau came with this army to take vengeance. In his distress, he started scheming again, and he used the following “tactics”,

1. He bowed 7 times, called Esau lord and called himself “your servant” (v. 3, 5 & 8). Was Jacob trying to show his respect to his elder brother, or just trying to appease Esau’s anger?
2. He presented presents, lots of it! (v. 8 – 11). A form of bribery?
3. He lied to Esau that he would go to Seir (v14) after him, but he went to Succoth instead (v. 12 – 17). Trying to run away from Esau?

This series of “tactics” employed by Jacob has clearly displayed his insincerity in facing his guilt. He seemed to have forgotten his wrestling with God and how He blessed him. (I believe many of us are guilty of forgetting God’s promises and assurances of safety in the face of impending threats).

In Jacob’s conversation with Esau, can we detect any sense of remorse or seeking forgiveness from his elder brother for what he had done to him in the pass? I don’t sense any.

In contrast, Esau’s expressions were something that surprised me. I thought he would be like what Jacob thought Esau would do, i.e. coming out with his men to seek vengeance.

But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him,

and they wept.

Gen. 33:4

Well maybe Esau’s heart was soften by the gifts Jacob had presented. We are not told what went through the mind of Esau, but it seemed that his grudges and pains that were inflicted by Jacob, his own brother, in the pass had all been eliminated from his heart. Is it really so? It seems so to me.

Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, meaning “Prince with God”, this is a special and noble name indeed. But did Jacob live up to this name?

We have the impression of Esau as a man who was rough and violent due to his reactions when he was being robbed off his rights, but in this episode, ironically the “Prince with God” seemed to have failed the mark of being one, but the violent man seemed to have overcome his pain and anger. He showed great joy to see his younger brother’s return and welcomed him with open arms.

I hope we all are proud to be called Christians, because we are the sanctified lot from the world. This is not arrogance by any means, but it is a fact that Jesus had redeemed us from the bondage of this world.

But we must not be called Christians only by name, but by our actions/deeds. Being a Christian is to be a believer and a follower of Christ. Jesus says,

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29 – 30

Apostle John also reiterated on this and admonishes us,

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His

commandments are not burdensome.

1John 5:3

We are indeed extremely blessed to be found by God, and through His grace, we have come into His True Fold. Therefore, we must KEEP and DO His commandments as a delight.

As how our Lord Jesus had summarized the commandments into loving God and loving man (Matt. 22: 37 – 40), let us pursue and understand what loving God and loving man truly mean, but more importantly is to live out His commandments.

In today’s Bible reading, I’m reminded of our sincerity towards God and man. We know that we can’t hide anything from God, our hearts are like open books to Him. But what about our sincerity towards man? Man are not gods, so they won’t be able to see what are the intents that we harbor in our hearts, but we have to remember that God sees and He will judge.

Hope that you can also share your thoughts or any teachings on this chapter that many of us are familiar with.

Shalom!