ACE #408: Are You Sorry?

God has a way of making your enemies or someone who has wronged you do right by you...eventually. But sometimes they will fight it...

They might mask it by trying to be or do something overly nice. More often than not, they just could have apologized a long time ago and made it easier...on themselves. Sadly, most people will let their pride and stubbornness overshadow the freedom that comes with simply asking for... forgiveness. Saul tormented himself in his situation with David. And David could have killed him even.  But one of the best examples of this was between two brothers, Jacob and Esau.

As the story is told, Jacob tricked Esau into forfeiting his birthright and blessing. Basically, Jacob took something that he had no right to in the first place. (That darned bowl of soup). Now, we can argue that Esau was willing to give up something so precious for a temporary fix of his hunger.  But let's be real - did he really think his own brother was going to do that to him?  Esau was so angry that he threatened to kill Jacob. Revenge was certainly on his mind.  It tormented Jacob.  In other words, he slept with one eye open. As a result, Jacob, at the request of his mother, fled his homeland and ended up in the company of his uncle, Laban. Years pass and Laban has tricked Jacob over and over again - in an even more calculating manner than Jacob had done Esau.  

Around 20 years have passed, the Lord tells Jacob to return to his homeland.  But wait...he has to pass through Edom, his brother Esau's territory.  In preparation, Jacob lined up his family very specifically for the journey as he was literally preparing for war.  He even had people go before them to check out the territory and to speak to Esau on his behalf.  He sends gifts on top of gifts with them.  It is obvious that Jacob is scared to death and stressed out.  And he should have been.  He knew that what he had done to his brother 20 years ago was just wrong.  But this is what happened in Genesis 33:

33 Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. ² He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. ³ He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

⁴ But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. ⁵ Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked.

Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

⁶ Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down.⁷ Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

⁸ Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”

“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.

⁹ But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”

¹⁰ “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. ¹¹ Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

Keep in mind, Esau embraced Jacob and kissed him first.  He wasn't even the one who had done the wrong!

Two of the hardest things to say are, "I'm sorry" or "I was wrong". (You can't make someone say or admit either).  

But sometimes, we need to say both to make it right with someone...and even with God!