4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. 7 Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down.

8 Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” 9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

Genesis 33:4-11 (ESV)

Warm welcome

What a dramatic moment! Could you imagine!? Jacob was fearing for his life (and probably his whole company of people). He is finally meeting his estranged brother who (he thought) hated him and wanted to kill him. What a surprise! Rather than running at him with a spear and sword to kill him, Esau runs to him with outstretched arms. Oh the waves of emotional and physical relief that must have overwhelmed Jacob and those with him.

The picture that comes to mind is the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32, esp. V 20) upon his return to his father. When the father saw him he ran to him and wrapped his arms around him, forgave him and welcomed him. 

Formalities

Now each of Jacob’s slave wives and wives with their children parade past Esau and bow to him. Esau then asks why all the gifts. When Jacob says it is “to ensure your friendship” (v 8, NLT), Esau politely refuses saying he already has enough. The formality continues with Esau finally accepting the gift, since Jacob strongly urged him.

Cautious acceptance

It seems like Esau has completely forgotten (and forgiven) the past and wants to fully restore the broken relationship. Jacob, on the other hand, seems to keep it formal, at arm’s length. The fact that he insisted on Esau taking the gift may confirm this idea. My sense is that Jacob is too amazed that his worst nightmare has become a dream come true and he doesn’t really believe it. The acceptance had great meaning. “In that culture, one never accepted a gift from an enemy, only from a friend. To accept the gift was to accept the friendship” (enduringword.com)

RЯeflection

• What a warm picture of forgiveness we see here! It reminds me to take an inventory to see if there is anyone I have offended. If so, to take steps, in faith, in prayer, to ask them for forgiveness. As with Jacob, we need to be prepared to make reparations for the wrong we’ve done.
• Though both expressed contentment with what they have, one difference between the two is Esau’s lack of attribution to God for the blessing. Jacob clearly acknowledges the Lord as the source of his blessing. When we tell others of our blessings (and we should), do we attribute it properly, in a humble way?