“Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty.” Thus he urged him and he took it. Genesis 33:11 (NASB)
I must be honest and say that in life, I have been blessed (not lucky!), I have very rarely wanted for the necessities of life. Yet even when I did have a need for food as a single man many years ago, God’s blessings were poured upon me beyond my imagination. God has blessed our family in such a way that occasionally, we are able to pass the blessing along to others. That just increases the joy in His blessings in our lives. When I read today’s verse in my daily reading, I could see the same cycle of Godly blessing in Jacob’s life.
Jacob had left his family and home under a cloud; he and his mother had deceived his brother Esau out of his birthright, which resulted in him having to run for his life to live with his uncle. But Esau had played his part by disrespecting his birthright for a bowl of stew. God took this mixed-up set of circumstances and blessed Jacob with much, who in his exile had sought God. Our verse occurs in Jacob’s return home, where he was genuinely fearful of his brother’s retribution. Jacob sends generous gifts of livestock ahead of him and his wives and children to appease Esau. When they do meet, Jacob is welcomed warmly by his brother, who questions the gifts he has met on the way, “I have plenty, my brother; let what you have be your own.” (verse 9). There is an interesting difference in the word “plenty” used here in contrast to the word “plenty” used by Jacob in today’s verse; according to the Hebrew, Esau says he has much, but Jacob says he has everything. This difference in view illustrates the relationship of each to their wealth and from where it comes from; Jacob gives all the glory to God.
As Jacob blessed his brother for a past wrong, a similar case is found in 1 Samuel 25 when Abigail intercedes on behalf of a wrong done to David by her husband, Nabal. She brings a gift of food from her wealth for David and his men. We can see the similarity between Abigail and a God-fearing Jacob.
Dear Reader, we may not have done wrong to someone, it may have been another who does so, but can we bless them ourselves today? Can we share God’s blessings in our life with someone today? Let us acknowledge Him, who does not merely give us much, but who gives us everything.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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