Genesis 33:1-11 (ESV)

And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

Four hundred men isn’t a family; it’s an army. Abraham only used 318 men to rescue Lot. Why does Esau have so many? The Bible doesn’t say, but it looks like he’s just a great leader. He also doesn’t act like a man of war; his attitude adjustment in Gen. 28:8-9 seems to have been profound. Esau has grown a lot. He’s obviously very successful and yet he isn’t arrogant about it. He’s simply thrilled to see Jacob and his family. He just exudes maturity, joy and warmth.

But something’s wrong with Jacob. His plan to appease Esau with gifts is thrown completely off but he seems incapable of assimilating the good news. He just can’t let go of his original plan to give away his livestock. Esau wisely sizes up the situation and accepts Jacob’s gifts.

For now, let’s just chalk this up to Jacob having had a rough night. But he needs to grow past simple repentance, and let go of the baggage that comes with it, so that he can embrace his new identity as Israel.

He’s only had his new name for a few hours so it’s not worrisome – yet.

Notice that Esau is enjoying this, even if Jacob isn’t. This illustrates a glorious principle – forgiveness is fun. The forgiver benefits as much as the forgiven.

Christians are called to both give and receive forgiveness. Esau’s example here is ideal; his forgiveness of Jacob is total. That frees him up to enjoy things. Jacob could be free to enjoy the day too, if he’d only let go of his guilt.

This is pretty advanced stuff. Completely forgiving someone isn’t easy. Neither is completely accepting forgiveness – even from God. Yet the benefits of both are huge.

Pick out something from your past that you can’t let go of. Ask God to clear that baggage from your soul.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies