Week 5 Session 2 Reconcile
Read Genesis 33 In Chapter 32, Jacob limped away from Peniel with a new name and renewed purpose. No one remains unchanged from a real encounter with God. And sure enough—he didn’t have to wait; the day of meeting his brother was at hand. Esau and 400 men are quickly approaching. In Chapter 33, I notice a growth in Jacob. He's now pro-active in considering the safety of his wives and children during their approach of Esau and after arranging them, he leads in front. His tribal leadership has been growing since he left Laban, but there is an assurance and authority that I haven't noticed before. Still he is cautious as he approaches Esau. He bows and Esau rushes to embrace him. What things do you notice about the conversation between the two brothers? What is said or unsaid? What is the tone, who takes the lead, what is accomplished? Dictionary.com says: Reconciliation is the process of two people or groups in a conflict agreeing to make amends or come to a truce. It seems to me that the brothers have achieved this by showing honor to each other and agreeing that they each have prospered by the hand of God. Different from Jacob's truce with Laban, these brothers appear to have moved past the old arguments and ambitions. Their soft answers have created a place where new mature relationship might begin again. Hope and peace are new again. I think I love most of all the gentle voice of Esau in verse 12, “let’s be going. I will lead the way.” We don’t know what happened to Esau in the years that Jacob has been away, but the mellow note in his voice is unmistakable. Esau has also been changed by the years. No longer out for revenge, threatening murder, howling with rage and disappointment, Esau, now the head of his own household, has room in his heart for his returning brother. He did finally accept Jacob’s gift, and that’s probably a good thing—it allowed Jacob to make restitution on what he had taken from Esau. Even Jacob mentions that looking at Esau, he sees divine love. God is in the reconciliation business after all. And this reconciliation with his brother Esau brings exiled Jacob back to the promised land of Canaan. ********************************************************************* Oh how I wish that we didn’t see the next chapter of the story. We’ve reached such a perfect reconciliation between the brothers and brought Jacob back home and he’s the father of a nation…but there’s another crisis beginning in Jacob’s family. Chapter 34 is part of Jacob’s story, sisters, so let’s have a look at it. The rape of Dinah leads to the murder of Hamor and Shechem by sons Simeon and Levi. Sort out the story in chapter 34. What emotions are exposed? What sins? What is Jacob’s complaint at the end of the chapter? There isn’t even much segue into chapter 35. The end of chapter 34 reveals Jacob rather paralyzed with fear of the neighbors. Israel who wrestled with God is still human and as such, is given to uncertainty, inaction, and blaming his circumstances on others. Who do you grieve for in this story? And why? Journaling Prompt: Is there a relationship that you would like to see reconciled? What part could you play in that?
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