Good Morning Friends,
Jacob fled his homeland because he had
deceived Esau. Jacob was afraid of Esau’s anger. For over 20 years, Jacob
stayed away from his home, afraid to go back because of what Esau might do to
him. Finally, Jacob decided to go home.
On the way he prayed that God would save him
from Esau. When he approached Esau’s home, he sent gifts ahead to Esau, seeking
to appease his anger.
“Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming
with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and
the two maidservants. He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah
and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. He himself went on
ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.” (Genesis
33:1-3)
Jacob did everything he could think of to
appease Esau and then when he saw Esau he arranged his family so that his most
beloved were at the back, furthest from danger. In fear, Jacob moved toward
Esau.
“But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him;
he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.” (Genesis
33:4)
What Jacob had feared for over 20 years
turned out to be nothing to fear at all. His appeasement of Esau was not
necessary. Protecting his beloved was not necessary. Cowering as he approached his
brother was not necessary.
How long did Jacob stay away from home
unnecessarily? How much fear and anguish did Jacob feel that he didn't have to?
How much sleep did he lose for no reason?
Sometimes the things we avoid because of fear
turn out to be much less of a problem than we make them out to be in our minds.
Are there fears that you have that God is
asking you to confront? They may turn out to be only a shadow of what you think
they are.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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