GENESIS 33:4

But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

TO PONDER 

When they were younger, Jacob deceived his father, and stole the firstborn blessing of abundance and respect, off Esau. Understandably, Esau had a grudge, and vowed to kill his brother over this trick. Jacob fled, and over twenty years was blessed with a large family and vast livestock. 

Jacob is due to travel and reunite with his older brother Esau, but is stricken with fear over the 400 men that will come with Esau. So he sets up huge groups of his livestock ahead of him as gifts and a buffer of his family to hopefully appease his avenging brother. Jacob hasn’t forgotten what he deserves. Have the years changed his heart? Will the gifts appease him?

He sees Esau run towards him - he did not expect a warm embrace of love! The old animosity has been washed away and they both weep because the past has been forgiven. Thank God for forgiveness!

PRAYER:Lord, our hate for others tears us apart, help us to see how forgiveness will restore our love for your family.

Today's devotion written by Josh Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Westside