- Scripture: Genesis 33:1–20
- The Anchor: “But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” – Genesis 33:4 (ESV)
Jacob and Esau finally reunite. Jacob lines up his family in the order that he loves them, and he proceeds on towards Esau. Jacob bows to the ground seven times before meeting Esau, signifying his submission to Esau’s plans. However, Esau didn’t come to kill Jacob like he thought he had, but Esau ran up to Jacob, embraced him, and kissed him, and they wept. Jacob then introduces his family. Esau was originally confused about Jacob’s gift, but he accepted it because Jacob insisted. Esau went before Jacob to Mount Seir, but Jacob doubled back towards Shechem, which was the opposite way. He went into the promised land of Canaan instead of going to Bethel, where God wanted him to go.
Jacob was spared by Esau, but Jacob has distrust and deception, and he doesn’t fully obey God. Especially in the part where he goes to Canaan instead of Bethel, Jacob deceives Esau by telling him wrong directions, and he doesn’t obey God.
Both men were changed men, yet Jacob still had some qualities from his childhood, mainly deception. The last time we saw Esau, he was extremely angry about Jacob stealing his birthright, but Esau doesn’t really care about the past. He just looks forward to God. However, Jacob is still trying to be slick by going back on his word.
It’s important to be consistent in your words, your actions, and in your motives. All of that is tainted by sin, but God will make us more sanctified so that we grow in our faith. Goodness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Reflection
- Esau completely dropped the past to look forward to God, but Jacob was still trying to be “slick” by feeding his brother wrong directions and going back on his word. Are there areas where you are still using old, protective habits instead of operating in complete honesty?
- Jacob went to Canaan instead of Bethel, stopping short of where God explicitly told him to go. As you navigate school weeks, wrap up tests, and head into spaces like Ignite or praise team practice, are you giving God full obedience or just half-obedience where it feels safe?
Prayer
Lord, help me to be completely consistent in my words, my actions, and my motives today. Forgive me for the times I try to be slick or offer You half-obedience by stopping short of Your commands. Work in my heart through Your Holy Spirit, grow my faith, and produce true goodness in my life. Amen.