Genesis 33:1-4

Genesis 33:1-4 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. After Jacob finished his years of service with his Uncle Laban, he gathered up everything and left for home. His home ws in Canaan. But Jacob had a problem. When he left Canaan he was fleeing from the anger of his brother Esau. Do you remember why Esau was angry? Jacob had tricked him out of his birthright and had tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing too. Esau had been furious, but that had been over twenty years ago. Had he calmed down? Had he forgiven him? Jacob was getting some of the grief that he deserved. God has a way of giving us justice. Justice is what we deserve for the things that we do. Jacob sent a gift of cattle and sheep to Esau first. Then he sent his family. Finally, Jacob himself came to Esau. And Jacob bowed himself low to the ground seven times. But all of Jacob’s worrying was wasted. Esau had forgiven him long ago. But Jacob didn’t know that. God let Jacob worry and worry to teach him a lesson. We deserve to get the punishment that is coming to us. But God will forgive us if we but ask. I am glad that God doesn’t give us the punishment that we deserve. That is God’s Mercy. And I am glad that God gives us good things that we don’t deserve. That is God’s grace. God’s mercy and grace was there for Jacob, and God’s mercy and grace is there for us too!