Jacob said, Please, if I have not found favor in your sight then receive my present from my hand; in as much as I have seen your face, as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me. Please, take my blessing that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me. Then Esau said, Let us take our journey; let us go together, and I will go before you (Genesis 33:11) -- Esau and Jacob had been estranged brothers for many years. Because Jacob had received his fathers blessing through trickery. Even though Esau was the eldest, the blessing would have gone to him by tradition. So Esau had become angry; but in essense, he traded his blessing for a morsel of meat. After many years Jacob decided to return home. When Jacob saw his brother in the distance with four hundred men with him, he became a little fearful. He divided up his children to protect them, and went forward to meet his brother alone. Even though he had prayed earlier, he didnt know how his brother would receive him. His courage and faith paid off. When he saw Jacob, Essau ran to meet him and embraced his younger brother. All of Jacobs family bowed down to Esau. Jacob had brought his brother gifts and livestock. But the Lord had also prospered Esau; and he told his brother, Keep your gifts, I have enough! God had already prepared the way for Jacob. But Jacob still felt like he owed his brother. But this was in the plan of God from the beginning--. because it had been prophesied be older would serve the younger. However, once God has blessed us there is nothing to do but be gracious and grateful. It is isnt necessary to add anything to what God has already ordained. He blesses us because He loves us, not because He always expects something from us. However, we should always give Him the praise and glory-- because He is our Father and God Almighty! We should be extremely glad that God does not deal with us on the basis of our own righteousness. But instead, on His boundless grace, He gives to His children. Why? Because of who God is, and not who we are... He is a very good God all the time! Amen.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 02:49:30 +0000