Genesis 33: lessons in  Protection and forgiveness

After reading this chapter as part of the Bible Chapter a Day #BCaD which Dave Criddle (a member of my life group and one of our church pastors) has spurred us on to take part in,  I decided to write a blog on this chapter as it had so much in it which has been important part of my journey over the last few years and continues to be.


Background

Jacob comes face to face with his brother Esau after all the years he has been away living with and working for Laban. Jacob and Esau had a long history of sibling rivalry, clashes, jealousy, problems in family relationships.

What I found interesting- there are a few themes running in this chapter but two main ones which stood out to me

Jacob protecting his loved ones

When Jacob first saw Esau from afar, Esau was coming with four hundred men. Jacob swiftly organised his family members and servants in an order I found interesting.  First in line, he placed  the servants (we would assume the most expendable to him in terms of his love.)  Next came Leah and her children and last Rachel and her son Joseph. Rachel was the wife he loved the most. Jacob himself went on ahead.

So what I loved about this was Jacobs willingness to protect his family at all costs and put himself in the firing line and lay down his life for his family. How selfless.  

Just like Jesus, not only willing but actually  laid down his life for us. 'Love divine, all loves excelling.' Not even our closest husband or wife, family member, or friend can love like that.

This is important for me as I remember if ever there was a noise in the house during my marriage I would always be the one who had to go and explore it and check out any danger. When something happened to me with health or danger, I was always on my own with little support if any. I was afraid a lot of the time, and nervous. Now on my own I have more confidence but it's always nice to feel someone is looking out for you. I never felt the protection of a husband who would step in. I have a huge amount of respect for husbands who stick up for their wives and protect them at all costs. Jesus does this for us too like Jacob- he always steps in to protect us even when we don't see it- see yesterdays posting I put on on #BCaD. His love always protects us and is never intended to harm us but God is good whatever our life journey has taken us.

Family are important and I love it and get quite emotional when I see close knitted families (even on TV- like reunions etc brings tears to my eyes) just because I guess this is something I desire as I am a fiercely loyal person too and will defend those close to me whatever happens. The reality is sadly many families are disintegrated and fragmented these days too. However as a Christian we belong to another family, the family of God and as my friend Anna Duncan shared on her fantastic 'student' blog recently in her latest blog called 'Roots' 'community is at the centre of Christianity and God's heart and without it we would be self reliant.' 

Forgiveness

This has been a major part of my healing over the past few years. I have to say I'm not one to hold grudges easily but when someone close has hurt me, I can get upset about it within myself, dwell on this, keep going over in my head situations which have happened and avoid being around people who have hurt me or avoid telling people things so I protect myself from being hurt again.

Forgiveness doesn't always mean complete reconciliation as  Jacob and Esau did, however it means we can forgive as we know God has forgiven us so much how can we not forgive others?

In this chapter I believe it would have been understandable if  even after all that length of time Esau had been a bit reserved in his greeting of Jacob; but instead he rushed to Jacob and threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Of course they were twin brothers so there is a family tie, nonetheless the principle behind this is forgiveness of people who have hurt us brings release, freedom, tenderness of heart, humility and more importantly a closer relationship with God without barriers.

I have had to not only forgive and be forgiven, but also have had to develop a relationship with an ex husband for the sake of my children and for the sake of God's kingdom. My children can see that it is possible for two adults to hurt each other, even divorce but still maintain some level of relationship where you want the best for each other and mean it. At least  I can speak from my part any way.

Forgiveness is a necessary part of being made complete by God, being part of a family earthly and church family. It keeps us jumble  and makes us realise that none of us are perfect and constantly need forgiveness and to be forgiving to God and others.

Please watch this video by Matthew West on forgiveness

I can say the same as in Genesis 33:11 
'God has been good to me and given me everything I need'