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Day 12, or January the 12th.

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Time often needs help to be the great healer.

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Our thought today is rooted in Genesis chapter 33, verses 8 and 9.

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Esau asked, What's the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?

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To find favour in your eyes, my lord, he said.

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But Esau said, I already have plenty, my brother.

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Keep what you have for yourself.

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The big picture surrounding these verses.

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As Jacob travels south, angels of God visit him as a reminder of his promises made so

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long ago.

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As he continues his journey, he decides to send messengers to meet his brother Esau,

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and give him some gifts in the hope that Esau's temper will have cooled by now.

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Jacob remembers his own cheating and devious behaviour towards Esau, and he is desperately

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hoping Esau's memory is not filled with these terrible acts also, as his obviously still

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is.

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Jacob splits his family and flocks into two parts, in the hope that if one is attacked

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the other will escape.

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One night he wrestles with an angel who dislocates Jacob's hip as a permanent reminder of

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his duel with God.

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The following morning Esau and four hundred men are seen approaching Jacob's camp.

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Jacob quickly sends gifts.

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Esau rejects them because he is also a wealthy man now.

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The two brothers are reconciled, and so Esau sets out to return home, while Jacob continues

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his journey south.

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And now our action step for today.

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We see nothing but forgiveness in the actions of Esau when he meets up with his brother

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after many years of enforced separation.

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So often we witness that time is not the great healer we often say it is.

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Time can allow resentment and bitterness to creep in, and destroy what could have been

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a healthy and fruitful relationship.

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So which brother reflects your attitude?

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Is it Jacob who remembers and makes plans for the worst, or Esau who has dealt with

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the problem years ago and then encourages his brother to do the same?

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Reconciliation always requires some initial movement from one side.

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So get ready to move.