Esau Embraces Jacob
Having been estranged from his brother for years, Jacob goes to meet Esau. Looking up he sees Esau coming with four hundred men. Fearful of the outcome he leaves his wives Leah and Rachael and his children in the rear.
Jacob was afraid of what would happen when he saw his brother Esau. Their early lives together were turbulent to say the least. They had a falling out. Their lives were filled with anger, bitterness, and jealousy. But apart they matured and changed. It didn’t all happen overnight. It took years. Their meeting and the forming of good, strong, and positive bonds is an example and lesson for us. We cannot let things separate us. We must overcome the things that would set us at each other’s throats. The peace and the compassion of Christ needs to be at the center of all that we do in our families, our work places, and in our neighborhood. Christ came to reconcile us to Himself and then to each other. Each of us has a place in the Father’s world. As we seek to find that place, let us be caring and compassionate to those we meet, for they many times end up being our neighbors!
Almighty God, because You know that we of ourselves have no strength, keep us both outwardly and inwardly that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS
Halley’s Bible Handbook An Abbreviated Bible Commentary Twenty-Third Edition, © 1962 Zondervan Grand Rapids,
Collect for Lent 3 Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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