January 11, 2024 - Genesis 32-36

These chapters contain stories of the highest good and the lowest depravity.  The story of the  rape of Dinah and her brothers’ response, though perhaps justified on some level, demonstrate the lows to which sinful humans can go.  But the reuniting of Jacob and Esau is such a sweet story.  Now, Jacob thought, at the first, to appeal to the lower human instincts by sending gifts ahead to Esau and hoping those would console Esau, to appease him, and to make him more receptive to forgiving Jacob.  He instructed his servants to say to Esau,  “’Your servant Jacob is behind us.’  For he thought, ‘I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face.  Perhaps he will accept me’” (Gen. 32:20).  I can’t help, here, but to think of a bribe of sorts.

What a surprise to Jacob, though, when “Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (33:4).  No bribe needed, here.  No gifts necessary, here.  All the negative things we might think about Esau, at least on this occasion, he seems to rise above his brother Esau and quickly forgives him.  It is so easy for us to harbor grudges, to hold onto past slights, and to nurse personal hurts.  Such is not good and even terribly destructive among individuals, even more terrible is when brothers and sisters in the church act thusly.  May we always be like Esau on this occasion, quickly and joyfully forgiving others.

God, give me time to learn the words

            I find so hard to say:

the loving words, forgiving words

            that take the sting away;

God, give me calm to ride the storm

            when waves of anger rise,

a moment when I grasp a truth

            my lesser self denies.   –Shirley Erena Murray (2005)