One Thing Esau Did Right

Although Esau failed miserably in major areas of his life (see Living in the Moment), he did something very godly later in life.

Before Jacob left his homeland, neither he nor Esau were godly young men. But Jacob caused the most damage in their relationship with Esau by tempting and deceiving him, taking both his birthright and his blessing.(1)

Esau had more reasons to hate Jacob than Jacob had to hate Esau.
 
But in Genesis 33, when Jacob returns unannounced to his homeland, Scripture says:
 
“Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept” (v. 4).

And when Jacob tried to bribe him with gifts, Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself” (v. 9).

Esau was content and forgiving(2) and wanted to restore his relationship with Jacob. He serves as a bad example in most areas of his life, but in this event, he behaved as God wants us to behave.

Are there any relationships where you've failed to forgive? Are you discontent because of something someone did to you in the past? Make it a matter of prayer to overcome these ungodly attitudes.

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You can do a Bite Size Bible Study on this devotion HERE.

If Esau had been counseled by a Boundaries counselor, he'd probably never have spoken to his brother again. See Boundaries: Is Your Family Dysfunctional?  

(1) God promised Jacob favor, but Jacob and his mother took matters into their own hands and tried to "steal" favor before God gave it. 

(2) Nothing we know about Esau's life is godly except this one incident, but it's an important one. Reconciliation is not possible unless both parties are willing, but each of us must carefully examine our hearts when a relationship is broken. 
From Bible Hub Commentary: "Esau’s conduct on this occasion is that of a good-natured and forgiving disposition. There is no statement of his having intended any mischief to Jacob. His appearance with four hundred men seems to have been accidental, and not with hostile intent against Jacob. He behaves throughout magnanimously and simply."

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Bible Love Notes