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 !