This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.

In this video listen to Genesis 33 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In Genesis 33 Jacob gets ready to meet Esau’s coming army of 400 men. He orders his family by how much he loves them, and this must have felt terrible to the women and children. Later we see in the story of Jacob how this favouritism played out. Jacob probably wasn’t aware of how his attitudes would affect his family, but today we are aware of these things, and know the wisdom of them.

Jacob of course was tricked into his unique family situation, but sometimes today people find themselves also in unique situations. Sometimes parents have step children, or grandchildren, or foster children, or others that are not natural children, adn they need equal love alongside the natural children. This calls for determination, but ultimately God’s grace must be added.

This will be for the long term good.

Finally when Esau arrives, he is friendly, and this must have been a huge relief. God no doubt was a part of that. A real answer to prayer. The third of Jacob’s adversaries (Laban, the Lord and Esau) turned out to be fear instead.

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