Good morning everyone! Sorry this one is late getting up. My fault!
Genesis chapter 33.
Once again we see how Jacob Israel is driven by fear. He has his family behind him as they approach his brother Esau. Jacob goes first and bows seven times as he approaches his brother as he is driven by fear in hopes of finding favor with his brother. Not realizing that his brother is happy to see him and happy to see his whole family. His fear has been passed on to his family as they also approach Esau in a bowing position. When they depart Jacob tells Esau he will meet him in the city of Seir but instead goes Sukkoth to live. Why? Is he still living in fear that his brother might do something to him if he showed up? Or was he driven by guilt thinking he was not worthy enough to be in his brother's presence?
Fear can make us do crazy things and keep us in bondage.
Guilt is good if it brings repentance but is bad if we can't learn to forgive ourselves. God forgives us so why do we let satan remind us of our past when Christ is trying to do something for us in our present and future?
We can't let fear and guilt control our lives. The Lord is waiting for us to surrender all things over to Him so He can help us live a free life (John 8:31-32).
It’s time for a family reunion! Jacob and Esau are reunited in this chapter after many years of being apart. Jacob remembers what he has done wrong in the past and the fact that Esau wanted to kill him before he left. The Lord told Jacob to return now and that He would be with him, but Jacob’s actions show that he is still afraid. Esau greets Jacob and doesn’t show any signs of anger or seem vengeful in any way. Esau’s demeanor reminded me of the parody along with the video that I chose for today about how God can cleanse us and remove our sins so that they will not be remembered anymore.
You may need some tissues, but I hope that you enjoy Going To Forget Our Bad Deeds.
Here’s the link for it.
https://youtu.be/QC31nEos4dk
.. just basically echoing you guys! Jacob sends gifts to Esau hoping to find grace. It’s hard for us to grasp that God’s grace is free and unearned & undeserved by us. I guess that old saying “no such thing as a free lunch” tends to stick with us. But there is free lunch … also free breakfast and dinner from our Lord. Isaiah 55:1 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Wow Jim A
Great link
“Going To Forget Our Bad Deeds.”
You were right on the tissues too
Jacob returns home and is afraid of what Esau might do. He knows that he wronged Esau and that Esau was very angry with him. I think it’s worth noting that a change must have taken place with Esau also. He was angry enough with Jacob that he vowed to kill him and yet here he is hugging, kissing and weeping with Jacob.
Wow! Loved the video. Fits perfect. As I saw their embrace I imagined that’s what Esau did with Jacob. We must always remember God’s mercy and grace! We can’t let the things we have done, keep up from growing our relationship with Him!