Twenty plus years is a long Time

 

Genesis 33:5-11

Twenty plus years is a long time to be away from family, but in 2009 it is easy to keep in touch with Face Book and cell phone, but that was not the case with Jacob and Esau.  As I read this exchange between these brothers, I was filled with delight that love won out over hate and fear.  Verse five begins with seeing the women and children and he said, “Who are these with you?”  Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.  Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down.  Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down.  And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down.”

What a great story of forgiveness and love, these two brothers could not speak, for sometime, because of the tears of joy, but what caused this to happen?  Our great and faithful God and Father had been doing surgery on the hearts of both brothers, and it’s without question that Isaac and Rebekah’s prayers of twenty years had been answered.  After Esau wipes the tears from his eyes, they focus on the children and the ladies, and each of his wives and children, as they came to meet and be introduced to their uncle and brother-in-law for the first time.  The bowing down was showing the appropriate respect.

Jan and I have been blessed to have family and friends we love being with, and each time we get together it seems as if the time flies by and we cannot wait for the next visit.  But I also realize that many live in conflict with family members, that many families have open wounds and that many let hate and fear of the past keep them apart.  Jesus said, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14)

God has blessed me in so many ways but one that comes always to the top of the page when I am counting my many blessing is the godly men He has sent into my life.  One of those men was Carroll Ray Jr., who knew me well and still loved me.  Carroll would often say, “Bob, just act like Jesus tells the truth, that is acting on faith.”  So you who feel you cannot go home or do not want to go back because of past hurts, pray Matthew 6:14 and believe Jesus is telling the truth.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice