Reconciled
by Carolyn Ehrlich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept (Genesis 33:4).
Today, I want to look at the big picture of reconciliation that has reached its pinnacle in verse four. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright and then ran away. He found a beautiful woman to marry but was tricked and had to wait another seven years to marry the one he most loved. God blessed him in exile but then told him to return to his homeland. And now he had to face his older brother and his past. Jacob needed to come face to face with things he had done in his youth. Jacob was different now but did not know if Esau would accept him. Jacob was fearful. He sent gifts to Esau, trying to show that he was sorry. He also had to wrestle with God.
Reflecting on my understanding of reconciliation and forgiveness, I have often believed it is something I just do and then get on with my life as before. But this is not what this story is telling us.
Let’s look at what Jacob actually did. He didn’t face the person he had wronged for a long time – he ran away, avoided the situation and got on with a life separate from his brother. But eventually, Jacob had to return to the scene of his crime (so to speak). On that journey to reconciliation, he listened to God. He responded when the angel of God appeared to him – he said: ‘Here I am.’ Even though he ran from his brother, he did not run from God when called. Is God calling you to reconciliation right now? Jacob was afraid at more than one point on this journey. He was frightened about leaving Laban and returning to Esau.
Are you on a journey to reconciliation? If you are, and you are frightened, know that Jacob was too, and God is with you. Then Jacob had to wrestle with a determined but unrecognised stranger. Are you wrestling with a stranger? Could that stranger be God? If you are, you may come away changed, but ask for God’s blessing anyway.
Then Jacob came to the point where he was entering Esau’s territory. He was stepping into Esau’s lands and way of doing things. Jacob was going into that place where the initial hurt/damage/injury/insult had occurred. To that place where he had done wrong. Is this where you are? Jacob sent gifts to Esau. He was testing how Esau would react. He was uncertain. You might be in that uncertain place. Pray. God has a plan, and his plan is good – always.
So, is this what reconciliation looks like? Seeking forgiveness if you are the one who has done wrong? Wrestling with God. Foreshadowing that you are on your way. Praying fervently. A journey that, at the end of the day, must be walked alone (verse 14).
Lord God, thank you for being with me always. Thank you for being a God of reconciliation. Please be with me on my journey of reconciliation today and always. Please show me where you are and what you want me to do. And Father, please bless me on this day. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
Carolyn Ehrlich lives in retirement with her husband Wayne in Ipswich, Queensland. Prior to retirement, Carolyn worked as a researcher in the disability and rehabilitation fields. Today, Carolyn keeps busy with hobbies, supporting the Ipswich Lutheran Parish in various leadership roles and supporting her family.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
