Genesis 33: 1-4
A weekday morning devotional series written by Aaron Marcarelli and hosted by Chad McBeam
“Then Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids and their children in front, and Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.”
Genesis 33:1-4 NASB1995
I have read this story countless times and today I am reminded of Jesus parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). I don’t know why I have not seen the similarities before. Two sons, the youngest takes his birthright, he then has to come back to where he came from hoping his family will accept him. Both look up, both ask God for forgiveness, both have contrite hearts and both want to be accepted again. The difference is Jacob did not squander his birthright like the prodigal son. He worked and ended up having a pretty sizable nest egg. But each had serious trepidation about coming back home.
I love how God reveals His truth and sovereignty when we “look up” just as Jacob did. I wonder what he thought when he looked up after his prayer and saw Esau and his troops coming? We get a glimpse into what he was thinking when he looked up. “So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids and their children in front, and Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.” He was positioning the family in order of importance for their protection (Last to First) We know that Rachel was his favorite wife and we know that their son Joseph was their favorite son. So Jacob puts them in the back of the line just in case Esau has dastardly plans. Jacob also leads from the front. He is the one who meets Esau. What happens next is just as awesome as when the Father runs out to meet the prodigal son. But we’ll get to that tomorrow.
The lesson we can learn here is this: when we look up to God and trust Him he will do awesome and immeasurable things for us, through us, and within us. For Jacob and the prodigal son get forgiveness and salvation and these stories are a foreshadowing of our salvation and forgiveness. Which ultimately is our salvation through Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension.
Lord thank you for your perfect grace and peace. Lord help us to always look up, so that we can see your glory and allow you to do the work changing hearts from callous and unforgiving to loving joyful and forever forgiven. We pray all these things in Jesus Name, Amen…
Blessings and Press In and Press On!