Think with me about what Jacob endured between Genesis 32 and 33. In Chapter 32, he faced the alarming news of Esau’s approach with 400 men. Driven by fear, Jacob sought God’s protection.
This led to an intense, all-night wrestling match, culminating in God’s blessing and reassurance. By Chapter 33, Esau and his 400 men arrive, marking the conclusion of a truly difficult and memorable day.
Twenty years of separation and unresolved conflict hung heavy between Jacob and Esau. Jacob, burdened by the knowledge of his deceit and Esau’s resulting death threat, approached the reunion with trepidation.
He fully expected to face Esau’s wrath, making Esau’s actual reaction a stunning departure from Jacob’s fears.
But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept (Genesis 33:4).
Esau’s reconciliation with Jacob mirrors the father’s acceptance of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. In both instances, the kiss symbolizes not only affection but also forgiveness.
Driven to despair while tending pigs, the prodigal son is determined to seek his father’s mercy and is willing to accept the role of a mere servant. This theme of humility and submission appears to be Jacob’s attitude toward his brother.
When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant” (Genesis 33:5).
Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24).
Jacob knew that his possessions were nothing in comparison to his life. It’s important to remember that the Hebrew concept of ‘soul’ refers to the complete person or their life.
The very possessions Jacob had so fiercely pursued, whether through the birthright and blessing he obtained from Esau or the fruits of his labor for Laban, he now readily offered up.
As one preacher said, “I’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” No doubt, all of Jacob’s possessions, and indeed our own, become meaningless in the face of death.
When we look at the story of the prodigal son and Jacob, Jesus offers the greatest wisdom which should direct our attitudes and actions.
“If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-25).
Brother and Servant
Recognizing the wrong he had committed, Jacob could only refer to himself as Esau’s servant (verse 5). In contrast, Esau, demonstrating a willingness to forgive, restored their bond by calling Jacob his brother.
Jacob offered possessions to Esau. Esau’s response was: “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself” (Genesis 33:9).
Jacob’s response to Esau reveals the power of forgiveness. He pressed Esau to accept the gifts he offered and said, “Truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me with such favor” (Genesis 33:10).
Through the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus revealed God’s heart of forgiveness. Jacob had personally experienced that forgiveness in his wrestling match with God.
Now, he witnessed it visibly displayed through Esau’s gracious actions.
I hope my readers never require the profound forgiveness sought by the prodigal son or Jacob. However, I suspect many of us have experienced the relief of being forgiven after a shameful act.
In those moments, whether from God or another person, we witness God’s forgiving nature.
Reflections
Genesis does not offer a moral evaluation of Jacob’s behavior. Instead, it underscores God’s plan being carried out through him, renamed Israel.
While modern readers, like me, often struggle with Jacob’s actions, Genesis prioritized demonstrating God’s work through an imperfect instrument.
I think the most important lesson from Jacob’s story is to align with Jesus’ message: to live a life of self-giving love and imitate Jesus’ attitudes and actions.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 