Genesis 33

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GENESIS 33:1-3

"And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother."

DO YOU PLAY FAVORITES?

Do you think it is fair to have favorite children? All through the Old Testament we see parents favoring one child over another. Here, we see Jacob putting the handmaids and their children first and then Leah and her children and leaving Rachel and Joseph last. He did this so if his brother was still mad at him and was coming to meet him in anger Rachel and Joseph would be last in line to meet his wrath.

Verse 4

"And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept."

What a surprise this must have been to Jacob! He was expecting his brother to still be angry at him because of his deceitful manipulations when they were younger. He bowed himself before his brother seven times but Esau ran to meet him and was so happy to see his brother he kissed him. Esau protested at the gifts Jacob had sent before saying he had no need for them but he did accept them; to refuse would have been considered an insult. Esau suggested that they journey back to his home but Jacob argued that his people would have to travel too slowly, having animals and children. He spoke of visiting Esau at a later time but we have no record of him doing this.

Verse 16 "So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
Verse 20 "And he (Jacob) erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel."

After a brief discussion it seems Esau returned home and Jacob went on to Succoth and built a house and coverings for his herds. He then traveled to a city in the land of Canaan and erected an altar to God. No doubt he was so relieved to be back in his homeland and also, to know his brother was no longer mad at him, he wanted to offer a sacrifice to God in thanksgiving.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Once again I'll ask the question: "Do you think it is fair to have favorite children?" Ask yourself the question: "DO YOU HAVE FAVORITES IN YOUR FAMILY?"

Why do you think Esau was no longer angry with his brother?

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