Day 23 of 365...
Genesis 32-34
Key Passages/Thoughts:
Gen 32:9-12 - "Then Jacob said, 'God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, 'Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,' I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. Please rescue me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children. You have said, 'I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.'"
Gen 33:4 - "But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. Then they wept."
Have you ever been worried about what the consequences of your actions might be only to be surprised that you've been reprieved? I have definitely been in that situation before. Jacob had that same situation with Esau. Jacob stole Esau's birthright for some soup and his blessing from their father out of deception. After Jacob stole Esau's blessing, Esau vowed to kill Jacob! Those are some serious consequences. I don't know how many years it had been since Jacob saw Esau, but I think it's safe to say it had been a long while. After all, Jacob has worked for Laban for 14 years, had many children and moved around quite a bit. However, I'm sure that the wound that Jacob created in Esau's heart was still there. Needless to say, there was a little apprehension in Jacob knowing that he was about to see his brother. As I read through this passage, I couldn't help but think of some of the consequences I've had to face because of my own poor decisions. I also begin to shudder at the idea of consequences I haven't faced yet! There are times that I beg God not to be harsh on me because I know that I messed up. However, there are times that I get reprieved in the same way Jacob did with Esau. Upon first seeing his brother, expecting the worst, Jacob received an embrace from his brother, a kiss and they both wept. It wasn't the reception Jacob was expecting. There are times when, undeservingly so, God shows me grace when it comes to the consequences I deserve. The only thing I can do when He grants me this grace is respond how Jacob did and show God my full affection. It still amazes me how there is no end to God's grace! Thank you Lord for showing me grace when it is not deserved, for showing compassion when punishment is warranted and showing love when discipline is justified. Let me never take any of it for granted, and help me show the same kind of grace to others.
Have you ever been worried about what the consequences of your actions might be only to be surprised that you've been reprieved? I have definitely been in that situation before. Jacob had that same situation with Esau. Jacob stole Esau's birthright for some soup and his blessing from their father out of deception. After Jacob stole Esau's blessing, Esau vowed to kill Jacob! Those are some serious consequences. I don't know how many years it had been since Jacob saw Esau, but I think it's safe to say it had been a long while. After all, Jacob has worked for Laban for 14 years, had many children and moved around quite a bit. However, I'm sure that the wound that Jacob created in Esau's heart was still there. Needless to say, there was a little apprehension in Jacob knowing that he was about to see his brother. As I read through this passage, I couldn't help but think of some of the consequences I've had to face because of my own poor decisions. I also begin to shudder at the idea of consequences I haven't faced yet! There are times that I beg God not to be harsh on me because I know that I messed up. However, there are times that I get reprieved in the same way Jacob did with Esau. Upon first seeing his brother, expecting the worst, Jacob received an embrace from his brother, a kiss and they both wept. It wasn't the reception Jacob was expecting. There are times when, undeservingly so, God shows me grace when it comes to the consequences I deserve. The only thing I can do when He grants me this grace is respond how Jacob did and show God my full affection. It still amazes me how there is no end to God's grace! Thank you Lord for showing me grace when it is not deserved, for showing compassion when punishment is warranted and showing love when discipline is justified. Let me never take any of it for granted, and help me show the same kind of grace to others.
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