10-11 Jacob said, "Please. If you can find it in your heart to welcome me, accept these gifts. When I saw your face, it was as the face of God smiling on me. Accept the gifts I have brought for you. God has been good to me and I have more than enough." Jacob urged the gifts on him and Esau accepted. (The Message)
Jacob and Esau's meeting is nothing like Jacob had feared. Esau welcomes Jacob and embraces his brother's family. All that Jacob had feared does not materialize and Jacob and Esau are reunited. If you notice though the brothers do not take up residence next to one another. Just because there is reconciliation doesn't mean that the past is forgotten. Yet Jacob was willing and able to accept the new relationship with his brother for what it was and that seems to be enough. In fact both Jacob and Esau seem ok with this new relationship between them.
One of the problems that often exist between people is a difference in expectation as far as what the relationship is supposed to look like. When one person has expectations that are more or less than another person has it can lead to hurt feelings and conflict. To arrive at an equal expectation takes an honesty that is not always found within a relationship even the closest and most intimate kinds. To have this kind of honesty we must face our fears and expectations as Jacob did, we must put aside past hurts like Esau did, we must be willing to be vulnerable and even to risk being hurt. Is all this worth it? I think that Jacob would say it was.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What do you think was going through Jacob's mind when he first saw Esau?
- What do you think was going through Esau's mind when he first saw Jacob?
- Who do you need to go see about a relationship issue that is bothering you?
- What could a good outcome be of one of your most difficult relationships if you came to a mutual agreement as to your expectations?
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