May 26 | Genesis 33:1-20
DAILY READING
Genesis 33:1-20
REFLECTION
Brother(s)
by Kim Starr
Jacob and Esau struggled with one another while they were still in their mother’s womb. When they were born, Esau arrived first with Jacob holding onto his heel. When the boys were older, Jacob fed a starving Esau in exchange for Esau’s birthright. Later, Jacob and his mother successfully conspired to steal Esau’s blessing from their father. When Esau discovered his blessing stolen, he decided to kill Jacob once their father was no longer alive.
Twenty years pass and Jacob reaches out to Esau. Upon meeting, Jacob bows to Esau, but Esau runs to meet Jacob, embraces him, throws his arms around his neck, and kisses him. While hanging onto one another, they weep.
What happened that caused this change of heart between the brothers? God. From the very beginning, God had chosen Jacob to be the heir of His promises. Before the boys were born, God even tells Rebekah that the older will serve the younger. (Genesis 25:23) Not a thing the brothers did could change God’s intention. In fact, God uses the boys’ faults, Jacob’s deceit and Esau’s hatred, to accomplish His purpose.
We also need to remember