"...For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably..." (Genesis 33:10)
We all know those famous words spoken from the lips of our mothers, "Wait until your father gets home..." Oh no. That's it. You're in trouble now! After that comment was made, you had to wait in quiet torture until Dad walked in the front door. You know what you did was wrong, but now you have to face the reality of consequences. In Genesis 32 & 33, Jacob had this feeling of "quiet torture" as he prepared to meet his brother, Esau. Much time had passed since Jacob deceived their father and had stolen from Esau what was rightfully his- his birthright. Esau had every right to be upset, bitter, and vengeful. Who knows what would happen? So, Jacob tried his best to make this a pleasurable meeting...highly doubting that it would go over well. But, listen to their initial encounter in Genesis 33:4, "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept." WOW! Can't you picture Jacob? His eyes were probably bugging out, his jaw dropped wide from shock, and he was silent in amazement. His brother, Esau, had welcomed him with open arms, brotherly love, and true forgiveness. It was almost too much to accept. Jacob replied to Esau in verse 10, "For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably." Because of Esau's true forgiveness, Jacob witnessed God's love in a real way...he saw the Lord shining through Esau. When we forgive, it is a beautiful picture of God's forgiveness for us...not in its entirety, by any means, but it gives people a glimpse of God's unconditional love. I would love to have someone say of me, "...to see your face is like seeing the face of God..." Wow! By showing God's love in forgiveness, we have the perfect opportunity to shine for Him!
1 comment:
Wow. How timely this article was for me. My daughter's boyfriend's Dad passed away yesterday, it is a difficult situation, with hard circumstances involving his Mother. Anyway, the Mom left her family last year...the grandparents have obviously not forgiven her...for they would not allow her in the CCU waiting room to see her own sons. My heart broke...while I understand their pain and disappointment in her, what about forgiveness, what about grace and mercy? I witnessed such bitterness yesterday in their voices and faces towards this woman. Made me think...is there someone I am harboring unforgiveness towards? I have tasted His grace and forgiveness, I know who I am apart from Christ in me...Praise God for His Grace, Goodness, Mercy and Forgiveness. Thank God He didn't give me what I deserve, but choose to give me what I didn't deserve.
Renee
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