Daily Devotions
Genesis
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Psalm 118:6
Text: Genesis 33:1-20
RECALLING ISAAC’S BLESSINGS ON ESAU
Esau and Jacob were well and truly reconciled! Both had been successful! Isaac’s word to his son Esau had come to pass!
“Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth,
And of the dew of heaven from above.
By your sword you shall live,
And you shall serve your brother;
And it shall come to pass, when you become restless,
That you shall break his yoke from your neck.”
GENESIS 27:39-401. Every chance to succeed in life
Esau would have every chance to succeed in life, even if he had not been given the firstborn blessing and appointed successor to Isaac. And succeed he did! He had enjoyed “the fatness of the earth and of the dew of heaven”.
2. Living by the sword
That Esau should have an army of 400 men should come as no surprise to us. Isaac predicted that his favourite son would live by the sword. He did – and most successfully too.
3. Serving the brother
Theoretically, Esau would have to serve Jacob. However, he never did! Jacob fled home and thus had not posed a threat to Esau these past two decades!
4. Anticipating the day when the yoke would be broken completely
That day had come much sooner than expected! Esau had in effect broken off the yoke that was upon his neck. He was successful and not dependent upon Jacob at all. He could claim high success in every sense of the word!
A NEW SENSE OF LOVE AND CONCERN FOR FAMILY
It was to Esau’s credit that he became as magnanimous as he did! Esau was cheated by his younger brother on two major occasions! He had every right to be angry, but he choose the path of magnanimity instead.
Introductions were in order. Esau asked his brother to introduce his family! Esau wanted to know and be introduced to his brother’s family.
“And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said,
‘Who are these with you?’ So he said, ‘The children whom God
has graciously given your servant.'”
GENESIS 33:5
Jacob maintained his deep sense of humility, proving that he had indeed changed for the better… for life! Jacob gave testimony of the Lord’s grace and blessing on him!