Contrast in Brothers

Genesis 33. Today we see a contrast in two brothers. In this chapter Esau acts more godly and Jacob has reverted back to his old scheming ways. There has been a change of heart in Esau. He's no longer bitter over losing his birthright and blessing. Instead, he is content with what he had. The fact that Esau ran to his brother, embraced him and kissed him, and wept is evidence that a change had taken place in his heart.

Life can bring us some bad situations. We can feel cheated as Esau did, but we don't have to remain bitter. We can forgive those who have hurt us and be content with what we have. This is where Esau is at this point in life.

But Jacob, on the other hand, acts ungodly. He's back to his old scheming ways instead of trusting God. By putting Rachel (his favorite wife) and Joseph (his favorite son) behind the other family members, he created a new problem in the home, and it's no wonder (later) why Joseph's brothers hated him. You certainly knew where you stood in Jacob's household! When Esau ran up to Jacob and kissed him, that gave Jacob an open door to talk with Esau about the past and get family matters straightened out. But instead of confessing his sins and giving witness to God's grace in his life, Jacob spent time begging Esau to accept the gifts he had sent. Remember, Jacob had seen God 'face to face', and he says nothing about it. A golden opportunity to witness--LOST!

What about us? Are we squandering golden opportunities? Are we bypassing those open doors to testify of God's goodness and grace in our lives? Here's Jacob, a child of God, yet acting like the world. And here's Esau, who is of the world, yet acting like a child of God, with forgiveness in his heart. What a contrast! Often I wonder if that's not what's wrong with the church. People sitting on the front row acting like the world. Check your heart. And don't pass up opportunities to testify for Jesus.