Have you ever experienced a joyful reunion?  A family member or friend that you haven’t seen in quite some time.  Maybe you are even unsure how the reunion will go because of how long it has been.  That is the case with Jacob and Esau.  Jacob as you remember stole Esau’s blessing and left.  It has been many years since they have seen each other.  Let’s look at the account of their reunion.

Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. 2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down. 8 Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. 9 But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” 10 “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. 11 Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

God’s favor and blessing have been on both brothers lives.  Jacob is returning home and Esau receives him with joy.  All is forgiven and they are joyfully reunited.  It’s a happy story that could have gone another way altogether.  Perhaps there is someone in your life that you need to be reunited or reconciled to.  God has shown us all incomparable grace and forgiveness and we are called to do the same for others in our life.  The story of Jacob and Esau should encourage us to seek that type of restored relationships in our life. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave