Jacob & Esau

SCRIPTURE
"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably." (Genesis 33:10)

OBSERVATION
The meeting between brothers at odds, finally happened. How tense the anticipation!! Esau, the brother who was slighted by his mom and brother, after years and years of tension (to say the least) with Jacob, finally met face to face with him.

Boy, did Jacob come with a boat-load of gifts for Esau, as if to distract or divert Esau's offense towards him. But this meeting would be a favorable reception for both Jacob...and Esau!

Favorable receptions are so fulfilling!! Beyond words, in a life of tension, sin, mishaps, evil deeds, words....God is a reconciler. He is a healer of broken relationships. His will is for us to experience healing in our relationships, especially when there is division, tension and odds against one another. God is all about unity, even in the midst of diversity.

APPLICATION
Today, I don't have any relationships close to the one Esau and Jacob had. As an application, I should ask myself: Am I finding favor in the eyes of those I have had "tough encounters" with? Am I received favorably by those I've had tensions with? My integrity is all I've got and it's so important to me, because I know it impacts those who are observing my life and my words to see if they match. I am grateful to God for the people in my life who give me favorable receptions. The people who appreciate me...for me. I want to be that kind of person, too.

PRAYER
Lord,
Thanks for Your power, grace and love to develop a healthy relationship with YOU!! Now, help me to cultivate healthy relationships with those closest to me, and those around me.

Thanks for receiving me favorably!