Let By Gones Be By Gones

O.T. #69  "Let By Gones Be By Gones" 
June 14, 2013
Genesis 33-Part 2
Let me find grace in the sight of my lord.  Genesis 33:15c

LET IT GLOW

My family is not a close knit family. If we see each other years down the road, it seems to make everyone happy. I miss them, though. My husband's family is close, so it makes me wish mine
was. But because of hurt feelings, I don't think it will happen in my lifetime. Why can't people let
by gones be by gones? Forgive each other and go on with life. Life is too short to harber hurt feelings, don't you think?
When Jacob left home, it seemed that he and his twin brother would never have a happy meeting again, but it did happen. Want to check it out?

Jacob had a good visit with his twin brother Esau. The years of seperation must have mellowed
Esau. Time has a way of doing that. Jacob must have felt badly about all the deception and trickery he had used in order to their father to give him the first-born blessing instead of Esau. Jacob had
sent a large, generous gift of 550 animals from his flocks and herds to Esau as a peace offering
before their meeting, but Esau refused it the first time. Then Jacob insisted on his brother taking the gift when they met. It was Jacob's way of saying he was sorry. When Esau accepted the gift, it was his way of saying Jacob was forgiven. Their relationship was mended.

How far are we willing to go in order to mend relationships that are injured?

LET IT GROW

When it was time for the brothers to move on, Esau suggested he accompany Jacob (heading back
to Bethel). Jacob made an excuse of the baby animals and mothers would die if they moved too quickly. He stated that he'd have to go softly, which means gently. Then Esau offered to leave some servants with Jacob to lead the way, help with the herd, and protect them from any enemies. Jacob refused the offered escort, for he didn't intend to live next door to his brother. So Esau headed south.

Jacob wanted to have favor, grace, in his brother's eyes. Do I desire to receive grace from God?

Jacob's intention to meet up with his brother in Seir didn't materialize. He first stopped at Succoth, which is east of the Jordan River. Then he stopped at Shechem, which was 20 miles west of
Succoth, and 65 miles north of Jerusalem. Well, Jacob ended up north while Esau ended up south.
Jacob ended up in the land of Canaan, but not at Bethel, where God told him to return. It sounds
like partial obedience to me.
Jacob bought some land and settled in with his family and animals. He put up an altar and
called it El Elohe Israel, which means God, the God of Israel.

Approximately ten years time may have elapsed in Succoth before Jacob went to Shechem. Jacob erected an altar as Abraham had on his arrival (12:7). El Elohe Israel  indicates that Jacob was confessing, using his new name Israel, that El was his God, "a Mighty God is the God of Israel." (Falwell)

Do I go softly, gently, on my way? Do I try to justify my partial obedience? Is the God of Israel
the God of you, too?

LET IT GO

Confess my sins and make relationships right with others.

Deal softly and gently with others.

Keep God first place in my life; seek grace, not discipline.

Forgive and forget.