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Scripture: Geness 27:34-45
C.I.: Putting a Divided Family Back Together
Last week… - Today we will look at the flip side of the coin, reconciliation .
- That many families are divided and are in trouble is not
news. – But
what they need to hear is the message of reconciliation.
Steps Toward Family Reconciliation, (Genesis 32:1-18)
Step #1: Jacob Sought Reconciliation, (vs.
1-2)
Jacob had been away from his family for over 20 years. – He
now wants to make things right.
( Matt. 5:23-24 ), “If you are presenting
your offering at the altar, and there remember….”
God is vitally interested in reconciliation (“To restore
to a right relationship”).
( vs. 1-2 ), “Now as Jacob went on his
way, the angels of God met him. – And Jacob said when he saw them, ‘This
is God's camp.' – So he named the place Mahanaim.” [“Two Camps”]
Thus, God is supporting Jacob's desire (as He does ours) – by
sending His angels to help.
( Heb. 1:14 ), “Are not angels ministering
spirits, sent forth to render service to those….”
When we seek reconciliation – God will support our
efforts!
Step #2: Jacob Sent a Message, (vs. 3-5)
Notice, two things Jacob wrote in his letter, ( vs.
4-5 ), “Thus says your servant Jacob , ‘I have sojourned
with Laban, and stayed until now; and I have oxen & donkeys & flocks, & male
and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord , - that I may find
favor in your sight.'”
First, he humbled himself before Esau, e.g. Esau = “my
lord,” and Jacob = “your servant.”
When we seek to be reconciled – it is important to come before
others with humility.
( I Pt. 5:5 ), “…clothe yourselves with
humility towards one another; - for God is opposed….”
Second, He informed Esau of his situation over the past 20
years, i.e., he had gained wealth – so he will not claim any of Esau's
possessions (remember Jacob had the birthright & blessing).
( Gen. 30:43 ), “Jacob became exceedingly
prosperous, and had large flocks…!”
Step #3: Jacob Confronted His Fear, (vs. 6-8)
The messengers returned to Jacob with the worst news possible – “‘We
came to your brother Esau & he is coming to meet you & 400 men
are with him.' Then Jacob became greatly afraid.” ( v. 6-7 )
Sometimes the other person does not desire reconciliation
(“too hurt, angry, bitter”).
Yet we must not allow our fear – to keep us from doing what
is right, ( Heb. 13:6 ), “…we confidently say, ‘The
Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. – What shall man do to me?'”
Yet, we must prepare ourselves for this potential outcome. – ( vs.
7-8 ), “Jacob divided the people, flocks (etc.) into 2 companies. – If
Esau comes & attacks 1 company, the other will escape.'”
Step #4: Jacob Prayed for Reconciliation, (vs. 9-12)
Notice three parts of this prayer…
Jacob acknowledges his relationship to God & God's promises – ( v.
9 ), “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac [You've
been our God for generations] – O Lord, who did say to me, ‘Return
to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you.'”
Praying the word of God (e.g., His promises) – demonstrates
the seriousness of our hearts.
( I Jn. 5:14 ), “This is the confidence
we have before Him, that if we ask anything….”
( Quote Acts 4:24-26 ) – Essentially we
are asking, “Remember Your promises, O Lord!”
Jacob confesses his own unworthiness – ( v. 10 ), “I
am unworthy of all the loving kindness and all the faithfulness which
You have shown to Your servant.”
When we enter into the presence of God in prayer – it is
not only important to remember who He is (see above) – but also to remember
who we are. – don't forget who is Lord and who is servant!
( I Jn. 1:8-9 ), “If we say we have
no sin, we are deceiving ourselves… If we confess our….”
Jacob asks for deliverance – “Deliver me, I pray from
the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he
come and attack me and the mothers with the children. – For You did say, ‘I
will surely prosper you & make your descendants as the sand of sea
which cannot be #'d.'”
Jacob asks for deliverance – but notice his reasons why…
He feared for the safety of himself but also his family.
He feared he would not be able to fulfill God's will in regards
to the promised seed.
( Gen. 22:18 ), “…in your seed all the
nations of the earth shall be blessed.”
So when seeking reconciliation, we need to be sure
to bring God into the process!!!
Step #5: Jacob Sent Goodwill Gifts, (vs. 13-21)
( vs. 13-15 ), “Then Jacob selected
from what he had with him a present for his brother Esau: 200 female
goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes & 20 rams, 30 camels….” – 580
animals in all!!!
In sending these gifts, Jacob is saying that he is the one
who did wrong & offended Esau.
But it wasn't just the animals – it was also the way in which
the animals were presented…
( v. 18 ), “You shall say, ‘These belong
to your servant Jacob ; it is sent as a present to my lord Esau . And
behold, he also is behind us.'”
In so doing, Jacob is showing the sincerity of his desire
to be reconciled with his brother!!!
God is a God of Reconciliation!
God seeks reconciliation – ( Rom. 5:8 ), “God
demonstrates His own love…sinners….”
God sends a message – ( Mk. 16:15 ), “Go
into all the world and proclaim the gospel….”
God confronts our fear – ( II Tim. 1:7 ), “God
has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power…”
God responds to our prayers, Matt. 21:22 , “All
things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall….”
God sent us a gift (the life of His Son). – The only gift
He accepts from us is our life, Rom. 6:3-4 !
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