He Saw Esau

Genesis 33

So here it is, high noon- the showdown at the ok corral- jacob and esau mano y mano. Jacob prepares for attack by setting his clan in order from least important to most important- servants in front, Leah and his children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. What must it have been like to be Leah and understand that you were more expendable than the other wife; to know that your husband was thinking- well if they kill Leah, maybe Rachel can still get away. And how about being Levi, or Reuben? Why is mama's boy back in the safety compartment while we're up here closer to the front line?

But the guns are never drawn, the sabers stay in their sheaths, not a punch is thrown. In fact Esau runs to Jacob and embraces him- the wronged longing for the love of the one doing the wronging. Esau meets his extended family and asks Jacob about all the gifts that came forward and tells Jacob- keep your stuff, I'm not in need, I want you not your possessions.

They split up not long afterward. The animals are tired and Jacob doesn't want any aid from Esau's camp. But the tension is gone, the relationship is patched.

Maybe the lesson here is that love conquers great wounds. Have faith in the reslience of the human spirit- and maybe more imporantly, forgive with all your might, no matter what's been done to you. Your brother steals your inheritance? Embrace and forgive.

When you've done wrong to someone, sometimes just the attempt to make amends solves the problem. Life shows that it doesn't always work out that way. People carry grudges, remember wrongs and make enemies- and in the other camp, people carry guilt, relive mistakes and continually beat themselves up.

Maybe the message is leave the past in the past- just love each other.