Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Character
- Character: Having the interior life that is necessary to support the work that God sets before a person. It is hearing from God and obeying. It is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.
As the theological commentary asserts, Jacob is moving along in
his progress of change and the development in character. He begins to at least conceive of submitting
as he bows before his brother – even if his motivation might not be completely
pure. He does at least put himself
between his family and any potential wrath Esau may toss at them.
However, in this chapter I find Esau to be the greater example of
character. Here is a grown man with four
hundred trained warriors at his side. He’s
coming to meet the man who has stolen his birthright and then stole his
blessing. He has every right to be angry
and take it out upon Jacob.
But what does Esau do? He
embraces his brother. He forgives. He welcomes Jacob back into the family. This is a man of character. Look how much he has changed while Jacob was
away continuing in his deceptive routines!
In Esau we find here a testimony of how true people of character move
beyond the ways of the world.
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