A Daily Devotion for Wednesday, Jan. 24
- ontrakk
- 6 hours ago
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Genesis 33:1-9
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. He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 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. ”
Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.
Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”
“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.
But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
There are a few different ways to look at this account of Jacob and Esau’s reunion. It certainly could have gone in a few different directions, but God chose to bring the brothers together in love and forgiveness. Like the father in the story of the prodigal son, Esau forgives his brother for his selfish actions of the past, and welcomes him in love. If Esau had lived all of these years in angry resentment, no amount of Jacob’s abundant gift-giving would have changed his attitude. But God gave Esau a forgiving and loving heart. Maybe the most important part of the passage above is the very last line: ‘I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.’ I should always remember that with God, I do already have “plenty” and need not seek or expect others to give me more. All I need is provided by God. And Esau’s forgiveness was worth more than any amount of cattle or riches Jacob could offer.
Holy Lord, help me to remember that you provide for my every need. I may not see your provision in the moment, but I have faith that you always bring me around to see the truth. I am thankful. Amen
Becky, transforming
Daily devotions (Upper Room)
Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
Like Easu
(Focus those feeling forsaken by loved ones
Today’s Reading Genesis 33:1-9
Genesis 33:9
But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”
Esau forgave Jacob and accepted his generous gift primarily because God had a miraculous change of heart in Esau, replacing his long-held desire for vengeance with family love and a need for reconciliation. Jacob's humble approach and the gift itself also served as acts of giving back which paved the way for peace. The story of Jacob and Easu teaches us and tells us to put our trust in God because his is the loving father who will never forsake us. In a world…
Genesis 33:9
“But Esau said, ‘I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.’”
The restraint shown by Esau is an excellent example to follow. In worldly terms, he had every “right” to exert retribution on his deceitful brother, and Jacob knew it. Esau had the wisdom to realize neither one more steer nor one more denari was more important than restored relationship. Too many families descend into conflict over material possessions and perceived (or real) slights that, when viewed objectively, are no substitute for the love of family. These disputes can last for decades, damaging hearts and souls and grieving the Holy Spirit. A strong faith would hopefully inoculate a believer from this disease.
Prayer -…