Day 12, or January the 12th. Time often needs
help to be the great healer. Our thought today
is rooted in Genesis chapter 33, verses 8 and
9. Esau asked, What's the meaning of all these
flocks and herds I met? To find favour in your
eyes, my lord, he said. But Esau said, I already
have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for
yourself. The big picture surrounding these verses.
As Jacob travels south, angels of God visit him
as a reminder of his promises made so long ago.
As he continues his journey, he decides to send
messengers to meet his brother Esau and give
him some gifts in the hope that Esau's temper
will have cooled by now. Jacob remembers his
own cheating and devious behaviour towards Esau,
and he is desperately hoping Esau's memory is
not filled with these terrible acts also, as
his obviously still is. Jacob splits his family
and flocks into two parts, in the hope that if
one is attacked, the other will escape. One night
he wrestles with an angel who dislocates Jacob's
hip as a permanent reminder of his duel with
God. The following morning, Esau and four hundred
men are seen approaching Jacob's camp. Jacob
quickly sends gifts. Esau rejects them because
he is also a wealthy man now. The two brothers
are reconciled, and so Esau sets out to return
home while Jacob continues his journey south.
And now our action step for to -day we see nothing
but forgiveness in the actions of Esau when he
meets up with his brother after many years of
enforced separation so often we witness that
time is not the great healer we often say it
is. Time can allow resentment and bitterness to
creep in and destroy what could have been a healthy
and fruitful relationship. So which brother reflects
your attitude? Is it Jacob, who remembers and
makes plans for the worst, or Esau, who has dealt
with the problem years ago and then encourages
his brother to do the same? Reconciliation always
requires some initial movement from one side.
So get ready to move.