Genesis 33

“So Esau said, ‘What do you mean by this whole procession I met?’ ‘To find favor with you, my lord,’ Jacob answered. ‘I have enough, my brother,’ Esau replied. ‘Keep what you have.’ But Jacob said, ‘No, please! If I have found favor with you, take this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face and it is like seeing God’s face since you have accepted me.’”  Genesis 33:8-10 (HCSB)

It is a beautiful thing when brothers reconcile. Jacob rejoiced that the Lord had brought Esau and him back together, once estranged, and now “one.”  Seeing Esau was like seeing God because only God could have accomplished such a reunion. Consider Jesus’ prayer.  

“May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe you sent Me. I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.”  John 17:21-23 (HCSB)

“Hear o Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is “One.” (Heb., “Echad”) Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV)

The subject of Messiah’s prayer was “Echad,” unity among His Father, Himself, His Ruach (Spirit), His disciples, and all believers who would follow after. It was extremely important to Jesus to communicate that, as He is Echad with the other persons of the Trinity, His children are also to be “echad” with Him and each other.

It is speculated by certain rabbis that Esau came out in force to destroy his brother, but the Lord changed Esau’s heart. If that is so, it was not because of Esau’s goodness or Jacob’s ingratiating march home. Esau’s reaction was in accordance with God’s promise and directive to Jacob while he was still working for Laban, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” Genesis 31:3 (HCSB)

Also, it is significant to note in this chapter the difference between the brothers’ definition of “blessing.” Esau’s notion of “blessing” was purely material. His anger over Jacob stealing Abraham’s blessing had more to do with his anxiety over the prospects of enduring a future void of wealth & lifestyle. Once he was rich, Esau could care less about the birthright or the land of Canaan.  

Sadly, many within the Church solely equate God’s blessing with acquiring Worldly objects & amenities. This perspective often keeps them from leaving “stuff” to follow God’s call. They simply cannot imagine “blessing” without earthly possessions. Jacob’s biggest lesson is more closely linked to the “birthright” he purchased from Esau for that bowl of stew. The “birthright” was the right to lead the family spiritually. When Jacob experienced God’s miraculous promise fulfilled, he finally learned the differences between “blessing” and “wealth” and between “joy” and “happiness.”