February 13, 2023

God is at work in reconciliation.

Genesis 33

Ryan Fitch
Monday's Devo

February 13, 2023

Monday's Devo

February 13, 2023

Monday's Devo

February 13, 2023

Monday's Devo

February 13, 2023

Big Idea

We can trust God when we don't know how things will turn out.

Key Verse | Genesis 33:4

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

Genesis 33

Jacob Meets Esau

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.” 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 1 33:8 Hebrew camp 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.

12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of 2 33:12 Or along with you.” 13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. 14 Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”

15 So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. 3 33:17 Succoth means booths

18 And Jacob came safely 4 33:18 Or peacefully to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. 19 And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money 5 33:19 Hebrew a hundred qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. 20 There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel. 6 33:20 El-Elohe-Israel means God, the God of Israel

Footnotes

[1] 33:8 Hebrew camp
[2] 33:12 Or along with
[3] 33:17 Succoth means booths
[4] 33:18 Or peacefully
[5] 33:19 Hebrew a hundred qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value
[6] 33:20 El-Elohe-Israel means God, the God of Israel

S2:031 Genesis 33

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Dive Deeper | Genesis 33

When I was a sophomore in college, I accepted a job to become a student ministry intern. In this internship, I experienced one of the hardest seasons of my life. My boss was unwilling to resolve conflict we had with each other. This conflict caused agony, anger, anxiety, and apathy in my life. I couldn't understand why God would allow a ministry internship to cause so much hurt in my life. Long story short, I quit the internship without resolving any of the conflict.

In Genesis 33, I can imagine the emotions Jacob is feeling about encountering his brother because they, too, had unresolved conflict. Esau despised Jacob because he persuaded Esau to sell him his birthright (Genesis 25:33-34). Not only had Jacob deceived Esau, but he also deceived their father Isaac by stealing Esau's blessing (Genesis 27:35-36). Because of all this, Esau hated Jacob so much he planned to kill him (Genesis 27:41). Yet, here Jacob is about to see his brother whom he hasn't seen in a long time—do you feel the anxiety and tension?

Jacob feared what Esau would do to him because of their problematic past, yet Esau ran to meet Jacob and kissed him with tears of compassion in his eyes (Genesis 33:4). No one expected this response, yet it moves us deeply. Esau greeted his brother with love, not animosity. Jacob said that seeing the face of Esau is like seeing the face of God because of his undeserving favor. Esau reconciled with Jacob, the brother who had caused deep pain in his life.

I got coffee with my internship boss around six months after I quit, and we reconciled. Friends, the same God who reconciled Jacob and Esau is still in the business of reconciliation today. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)! 2 Corinthians 5:19 says that God has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation. We cannot live as followers of Christ and have unresolved conflict with others. Just as Jacob received reconciliation from Esau, we have received reconciliation from God through Jesus and should reciprocate it.

This month's memory verse

9  Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

– Proverbs 10:9

Discussion Questions

1. If God is at work in reconciliation, then what have you seen Him reconcile in your life?

2. Read Matthew 5:21-26. Do you have something against someone today? If so, don't wait, reconcile with them today. If you don't know how to reconcile, read through Watermark's Conflict Field Guide!

3. Have you been reconciled with someone before? If so, write it down and praise God for it!

4. Read Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. How is it similar to the story we see in Genesis 33?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

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Hugh Stephenson

GM Ryan. Awesome devo. Especially your great story on reconciliation. Q1-Q4. I hated my step-mother. I mean…I really hated her. She was the meanest person I have ever known. After my dad died in 1999, I never saw or talked to her again. When I got sober, (2012), my AA sponsor said I had to make amends to her. I thought that was a terrible idea. I googled her name and saw she had died. I was relieved as I was now off the hook. Not-so-fast said my sponsor. I was to write her a full letter or apology that owned everything I had said or done. I was not allowed to mention anything she had done. I still have the letter. A similar process happened in re:gen in the same year. Except now I was required to list every resentment and harm-to-me and then forgive her totally. 100%.
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Hugh Stephenson

What my very wise sponsor knew was that the whole process was for me. Not her…even if she was alive. He knew a truth that I didn’t know, but now do: Nursing anger and resentments are like taking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Frederick Buechner edifies even further- https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/279489-of-the-seven-deadly-sins-anger-is-possibly-the-most —————— Recently I heard a message about the difference between having assurance of eternal life verses having assurance of eternal life AND assurance of an abundant life. It’s a key promise of Jesus, (John 10:10). It’s especially noticeable that Jesus compares this to the theif who comes to steal, kill and destroy. If I really have a new life in Christ, (2 Corinthians 5:17), then reconciliation must be a foundational element.
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Hugh Stephenson

I’m reflecting on Jacob deciding to reconnect with Esau and how he approached the meeting. Specifically, I am reflecting on where he is the old Jacob and where he is the new Israel. And what God might want me to see about me in similar circumstances. Jacob decides to reconcile with Esau Jacob was greatly afraid Jacob prayed his first ever prayer to Yahweh, not Elohim Jacob planned to protect himself via appeasement Jacob wrestled with God Jacob would not relent until he got a blessing. Jacob saw Esau coming and protected himself Jacob deceived Esau and went to Succoth Israel built his first alter at Shechem and called it El-Elohe-Israel, (The Mighty God is the God of Israel)…using his name as “Israel”. So what does God want me to know? -The atonement of Jesus calls me to reconcile with everyone. He will protect me in my obedience.
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Michael Sisson

Re: Gen 33:3 Gen 33:3 (NASB) >>>But he himself passed on ahead of them<<< and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. While Jacob literally went ahead of his wives and children to greet Esau, spiritually speaking he also proceeded ALL his descendants metaphorically and historically. Re: Gen 33:10 Gen 33:10 (NASB) Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, >>>[*Lit for therefore I have seen your face like seeing God's face] *for I see your face as one sees the face of God,<<< and you have received me favorably. Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because >>>God has dealt graciously with me<<< and because I have plenty.” Thus he urged him and he took it. Metaphorically, Jacob has gone to face Esau as soberly as though he was going to face “Judgement Day,” and having been received with unmerited favor he wishes to return a tithe of thanksgiving to honor his benefactor. Perhaps Jacob speaks metaphorically because he recognizes G-d’s hand in what transpired between him and Esau over the last 20+ years, but he doesn’t assume Esau likewise recognizes G-d’s hand in their joint prosperity. Re: Gen 33:14 Gen 33:14 (NASB) “Please let my lord pass on before his servant, and >>>I will proceed at my leisure, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”<<< There is no record in Scripture of Jacob making good on this promise to Esau in either’s lifetime. Consequently, critics cite this as another example of Jacob dealing deceitfully with Esau. However, before leveling the accusation, we should consider whether Jacob’s vow here might be prophetic. Remember, G-d prophetically promised to give the Holy Land to Abraham and his seed; though Abraham died without ever owning more than the cave of Machpelah. Thus, faith looks forward to a literal, future fulfillment. Where then is the future fulfillment of Jacob’s promise to Esau? As we’ll read in Exodus, the nation of Israel sprang out of her exile in Egypt…the prototype of every exile to follow. Based on Daniel 7:3-7, Judaism has expected four more exiles (Heb “galut”) to follow in the nation’s history (in chronological order): the exile in Babylon, the exile in Persia/Media, the exile under the Greeks, and an exile under the Romans. Israel has already suffered AND returned from the first three. Judaism now considers Israel in the midst of her fourth and final exile. The Edomites are the descendants of Esau. (Gen 36:8-9) While there’s no longer a kingdom of Edom today, >>>modern Judaism genealogically and spiritually links Edom with the Roman Empire and (sadly) Christianity. Moreover, it interprets most prophetic references to Edom as code for Rome.<<< Thus, Jews refer to their current and final exile as “Galut Edom” (their “exile in Edom”). While the secular world may consider the Roman Empire fallen, Judaism simply views it as broken up into smaller, primarily European parts from which the Jewish people have yet to be redeemed completely. Thus, Judaism considers Israel as having been in Galut Edom from 69 C.E. to the present. For more on Judaism’s exilic expectations, see https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3671017/jewish/Discover-the-Four-Exiles-of-the-Jewish-People.htm Thus, viewed from Judaism’s perspective, with the Romans’ establishment of “Palestine” and their destruction of the Second Temple, Jacob’s descendants entered Galut Edom (their “exile in Edom”). So metaphorically, Jacob’s descendants DID eventually reach Edom “according to the pace of the children” as Jacob prophetically promised Esau…both spiritually and with the literal dispersion of Jews in the Roman world (i.e. “Diaspora”). Re: Gen 33:17 Jacob leads his people north, AWAY from Edom.
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Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Ryan. After almost 50 years in full-time ministry, my husband and I have seen firsthand the sadness of ministry co-laborers who refuse to resolve conflict and allow reconciliation. The flesh is an ugly, ungodly thing to cherish. And after 16 years at Watermark (and now CityBridge), we have a firm grasp on biblical principles for resolving conflict. Which is why this is an eyebrow-raising chapter. God has obviously been working to soften Esau's heart and we see a beautiful meeting of the two brothers, but Jacob doesn't own his deception against his brother. There is no mention--ever--of pulling the log out of his own eye. He doesn't apologize to Esau for how he cooperated with his mother to steal their father's blessing. Jacob and Esau skipped right over the massive, egregious offense that had one brother so angry he wanted to murder the other. What we DON'T see in this story is a lesson for what we DO need to do in our lives: own our sins and offenses, bring them into the light, and humble ourselves before each other by confessing clearly our part in a conflict. Plus it helps if we acknowledge the impact it had on the one we hurt or offended. Concluded with, "Will you forgive me?"
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Michael Scaman

God sent a company of angels to meet with Jacob earliest before Esau and his 400 guys. That prepared Jacob. Esau seeing his nephews and at least one niece helped prepare Esau's heart. Sending Rachael and Joseph last? That didn't do anything to help against feelings of unfairness and special treatment of Jacob to Joseph with his brothers, more than likely. Jacob was diplomatic and wise and didn't stick around Esau for things to get out of hand. Reconsiled but still discerning.
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Michael Scaman

Esau already lived in Seir. Reddish rocks suited Esau's reddish hair. Militarily easy to protect as it was the site of Indiana Jones the last crusade. The temple scene. The Herods were descended from Esau and were Idumeans. The older was supposed to serve the younger Jocob But not yet. God would toss is sandal at Edom (said twice in Psalms ) and knock the Herobs and Esau off the pages of history in the book of Acts.
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Chris Landry

Great Devo, Ryan. The Watermark Conflict Field Guide is an excellent resource for this topic. @Sue hit it head on, too. We need to own our side fully and humble ourselves to ask for forgiveness. I remember sitting in a church as a visitor in St. Louis with my dad. The pastor said, “turn to your neighbor and ask them why asking for forgiveness is so difficult and makes us uneasy.” The room filled with chatter. My dad is largely de-churched at this point but thinks and pragmatically states, “It puts the other person in control. It requires humility.” (Something like that). So I’m reading the saga of Jacob and Esau I can be reminded of some truths: 1) Our sinful nature is ugly and idolizing self is brutal torture to our own souls. But why? It’s misplaced worship on self and self has zero capacity to bear the weight of worship. It crushes us, yet we take the bait. Even crave it (position, power, prestige, prosperity) at times. There’s only one worthy of worship. Jesus. Not self. Christ alone. 2) We long for relationship - firstly with God, secondly with others. Probably why we are told to Love God and Others above all else. (Matthew 22:37-40) Probably the only possible reason why Jacob and Esau so easily reconciled - they loved God and others vs self. A reconciled relationship is like seeing the face of God. (Genesis 33:10) 3) Walking humbly into a reconciliation conversation is stinkin’ tough stuff. Faithfulness is one foot in front of the other. I need to remember this. (Matthew 5:23-24)
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Amy Lowther

1. If there is a crime, it is important to forgive yourself, the criminals, and do something better. God completed a reconciliation process for me from a mugging, releasing the criminals to their work to correct their bad choices and releasing me to live on in God’s love . 2. No 3. Yes, I and a few classmates were pretty competitive growing up and struggled to be in agreement on several things. Now we cheer for similar things. Prayer: God thank you for being a rock. Thank you for being there when we listen and when we don’t. Thank you for working with all of us to do good like you. Amen. 4.They all valued God.