Family Forgives
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Family Forgives
1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. 2 And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 3 He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
The nature of Jacob and Esau’s relationship has been restored. Previously, Esau vowed to harm Jacob, now he openly weeps to be reunited with him.
6 Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. 7 Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. 8 Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” 9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.
The rest of the chapter details Jacob’s return to the land. Let’s pause here and think about what has happened.
Jacob fled Esau’s wrath
Esau has spent the last 20 years growing his own household
As Jacob returns he meets and wrestles with God, confesses his sinful nature, and is blessed
When Jacob returns he sends a gift ahead
Esau comes out to meet Jacob
Jacob approaches the meeting fearfully
How far do we go to forgive?
Peter asks Jesus about this subject in Matthew 18
One servant owes 10,000 talents, a huge sum! (20 years of wages)
His punishment is to be sold into slavery with his family and all he has to be sold of to repay the debt.
He begs forgiveness and it is granted. The entire debt is wiped free.
He later goes and finds a fellow servant who owes him 100 denarii (a few months wages)
He physically assaults the other servant, chokes him, and demands his money.
The other servant gives the exact same response and the forgiven servant had him imprisoned
Other servants see this and tell the king
32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
How are we guided to forgive in Gen 33?
Forgive with humility v3
3 He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
Forgive with love
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Forgive with repentance
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Prayer Response
Ask God for His forgiveness
Ask God to help you forgive others
Ask God to help you ask others for their forgiveness