And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him. Genesis 33:1-16 The reconciliation of Jacob and Esau T. H. Leale. I. IT ILLUSTRATES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS OF THE TWO BROTHERS. 1. Esau was generous and forgiving. 2. In Jacob there are traces of his old subtlety. II. IT ILLUSTRATES THE POWER OF HUMAN FORGIVENESS. III. IT ILLUSTRATES THE TYRANNY OF OLD SINS. All was forgiven, but there was no longer any confidence. So the effects of past sin remain. IV. IT ILLUSTRATES THE POWER OF GODLINESS. Jacob's humility before his brother was but a sign of his humility before God. His satisfaction to Esau is a sign also of his reconciliation with God. ( T. H. Leale. ) The brothers reconciled Homilist. I. A RECONCILIATION AFTER A LONG SEPARATION, II. A MOST DESIRABLE RECONCILIATION. 1. Because of the happiness of their aged parents. 2. On account of their own families. 3. On account of their own spiritual well-being. III. A RECONCILIATION WHICH BROUGHT TO SIGHT THE BEST TRAITS OF THEIR CHARACTER. 1. Prayerfulness. 2. Humility. 3. Disinterestedness. ( Homilist. ) Forgiveness of injuries Sydney Smith, M. A. 1. The most obvious motive to forgive is the pleasure of forgiving and the pain of resenting. Therefore, as the apostle says, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, we may say, Forgive, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Forgive while forgiveness is worth having; forgive while there remains enough of life for the renewal of kindness; forgive while you have something else to bestow on repentance than lingering looks and faltering words. And what does this solemn Christian injunction of forgiving do but eradicate from the mind the most painful and most unquiet of all passions? What wretchedness to clamour out for ever, "I will pursue, I will overtake; my right hand shall dash in pieces mine enemy"; to sacrifice all the quiet happiness of life, to sicken on the bosom of joy, still, after the lapse of years, to feel, to see, and to suffer with the freshness of yesterday; and in the midst of blessings to exclaim, All this availeth me nothing while Mordecai, the Jew, sitteth at the king's gate. 2. Are we sure, too, that the cause of our resentment is just? Have we collected the most ample evidence? Have we examined it with the closest attention? Have we subjected it to impartial revision? Have we suspected our passions? Have we questioned our self-love? 3. Men are so far, generally, from being ashamed of not forgiving injuries, that they often glory in revenge; they believe it to be united with courage and with watchful, dignified pride. Yet, after all, what talents or what virtue can an unforgiving disposition possibly imply? Who is most likely longest to retain the sense of injured dignity? He who has given no pledge to his fellow-creatures that he is good and amiable? who does not feel that he is invulnerable? who is least fortified by a long tenor of just intentions and wise actions? What man who had ever trodden one step in the paths of religion would vex the sunshine of his existence with all the inquietudes of resentment? would ingraft upon his life the labour of hating, and hovel year after year over expiring injuries? Who is there that bears about him a heart of flesh that would put away a brother or a friend who knelt to him for mercy? 4. Other men, who have no desire to be thought magnanimous because they revenge, are still apprehensive of being considered as timid if they forgive and resent to maintain a character for spirit; but it is certainly extremely possible to combine temperate resistance to present injustice with a tendency to forgive what is past; to be firm in the maintenance of just rights while we abstain from any greater injury to our enemies than is necessary to maintain them, and hold ourselves ready for forgiveness when they are maintained. ( Sydney Smith, M. A. ) Needless fears A. K. H. Boyd, D. D. Now think, brethren, what a revulsion of feeling there would be in Jacob's heart. He would think, "Have I been all these years vexing myself for this!" Here was the thing, so happy and pleasant and kindly when it came, that had many a time broken his night's rest at Haran just to think of it; that had been a dull gnawing at his heart, making him uneasy and restless in cheerful company; that had been the drop of gall in every cup he tasted — all these years! And one thing we may be almost sure of: that in all his picturing out of this dreaded meeting, thinking of it as coming in twenty sad ways, if there was one thing he never pictured out, it would be just the meeting as it actually came! The thing you expect is, in this world, the last thing that is likely to befall you. 1. How needless are our fears! In how many cases we conjure up things to vex and alarm us! For one-and-twenty years Jacob had kept himself unhappy through the fear of a meeting which, when it came, proved one of the happiest things that ever befell him in all his life. Now, have not you many a time looked forward with great anxiety to something that was coming, and then, when it came, found that all your anxiety had been perfectly needless? We all have it in our power to make ourselves miserable if we look far into the years before us and calculate their probabilities of evil, and steadily anticipate the worst. It is not expedient to calculate too far ahead. Oh that we had all more faith, Christian friends, in God's sure promise made to every true Christian, that as the day, so shall the strength be! We have all known the anticipated ills of life — the danger that looked so big, the duty that looked so arduous, the entanglement that we could not see our way through prove to have been nothing more than spectres on the horizon; and when at length we reached them, all their difficulty had vanished into air, leaving us to think how foolish we had been for having so needlessly set up phantoms to disturb our quiet. I remember well how a good and able man, who died not long ago, told me many times of his fears as to what he would do in a certain contingency which both he and I thought was quite sure to come sooner or later. I know that the anticipation of it cost him some of the most anxious hours of a very anxious, though useful, life. But his fears proved just as vain as Jacob's in the prospect of meeting Esau. He was taken from this world before what he dreaded had cast its most distant shadow. God, in His own way, delivered that man from the event he had feared. Some people are of an anxious, despondent temperament, ready rather to anticipate evil than to look for good. But all of us, brethren, need more faith in God. How comprehensive a prayer that is, asking so much for time and for eternity, "Lord, increase our faith!" We bear a far heavier burden than we need bear. If we had the faith which we ought to have, and which the Holy Spirit is ready to work in us, we should cast all our care on God, who careth for us. 2. In those seasons of anxiety and foreboding which, through our weak faith and our remaining sinfulness, will come to us all, we should remember what Jacob did, and where Jacob found relief. He turned to God in prayer. He went and told God all his fear, and asked deliverance from God. And not once, but many times; through a long night of terrible alarm and apprehension he wrestled in urgent prayer. And see what he got by it. He got relief of heart, certainly: of that we are sure. Perhaps he got more. We cannot say how far those prayers went to turn Esau's heart, and to make him meet Jacob in that kindly spirit. When we are overwhelmed, fearful, perplexed, anxious, let us go to God, and humbly and earnestly tell Him all we are thinking and fearing, and ask Him to deliver us and comfort us. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." If ever there were words confirmed by the experience of Christian people, you have them here. Perhaps our prayer may cause the trouble we bear or we dread to go away. Perhaps the stroke that seemed sure to fall may be withheld; perhaps the hope that seemed sure to be blighted may be fulfilled after all: perhaps the blessing that seemed sure to be taken away from us may be spared us yet. Perhaps, through our prayer, it may be with us as it was with Jacob: when we come up to the time, the trial, the duty, we feared, we may find that there is nothing about it to be afraid of. But our prayer may be answered in a way that is better and happier still. It may please God to allow all that we feared to befall us. It may please Him to disappoint the hope, to frustrate the work, to continue the long disease, to bring the beloved one down to the grave; but with all that to resign our heart, to make us humble and content, to sanctify the trial to work in us a patience, a faith, a humility, a charity, a sympathy, that are worth, a thousand times over, all worldly happiness and success. Oh what an attainment it is, which Christians sometimes reach, to feel, if only for a little while, that our whole heart's wish is that our blessed Saviour's will be done and His glory be advanced; and that, as for us, we are content to go where He leads us, and to do and bear what He sends, sure that the way by which He leads us is the right way, and that it will bring us to our home at last! And prayer will bring us to this, if anything will. Do not, with the gnawing anxiety at your heart, sit sullenly and try to bear your burden alone. Go with a lowly heart and roll your burden on the strong arm of God Almighty! Oh how it will lighten your heart to tell Him, simply, all your fears! You will come back, like Jacob, from your Saviour's footstool, calmed and cheered. And even if the stroke should fall, even if we come out of our trial somewhat stricken and subdued, not quite the people we were — as Jacob came lamed from that long night of prevailing prayer — we shall be thankful and content if the stroke be sanctified to us: as he (we may be sure) would never murmur as he halted on through life. One word to prevent misapprehension. All this peace and hope is spoken only to Christian people. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked," or to any who have no part in Christ. We can speak no comfort to such in their fears. There is too good reason for that dull foreboding of evil they bear through life. Their fears are not needless. ( A. K. H. Boyd, D. D. ) The brothers reconciled J. C. Gray. I. THE APPROACH OF THE BROTHERS. 1. Of Esau. At the head of four hundred armed men. Probably at the first meditating revenge, or to make a great display of his power. But Jacob was a man of prayer. Had often asked God to guard and keep him. Had the night before this meeting so mightily prevailed in prayer that his name had been altered. In answer to the prayers of Jacob, the revengeful feelings of Esau depart. As he draws nigh, Esau feels his heart drawn out in love towards his brother. 2. Of Jacob. Full of hope and confidence. Lame, and yet strong. He is now the prevailer. The sun shining upon him, and, better still, God lifts upon him the light of His countenance. He had sent forward the present, and now places himself in advance of all the rest. He — the prevailer — does not fear to meet the first storm of his brother's rage. II. RECONCILIATION OF THE BROTHERS. Esau, the offended and injured, instead of taking vengeance on Jacob, having his heart softened by the grace of God, runs towards Jacob. Does not proudly wait for Jacob to approach, and then upbraid him for his past conduct. Ran towards him. Then spoke not a single word. Could not. Too full of joy at once more meeting his long-lost brother. They throw themselves in one another's arms. The kiss of reconciliation. Tears of joy, gratitude. Tears too, it may be, of penitence on both sides. Each needed to be forgiven by the other. Each had done wrong. Jacob, in that he had deprived his brother of the birthright and the blessing; and Esau, in that he had left his father's house, and harboured wrong feelings against his brother, and been the cause of his long exile. Persons offended with each other have often much need of each other's forgiveness. The pardon should be on both sides. He who forgives should also seek forgiveness. III. THE CONDUCT OF THE BROTHERS. 1. Of Jacob. He entreats Esau to accept his present. Will take no denial. Thus shows the sincerity of his affection. Is unwilling that Esau should at all go out of his way to guard him. Has sufficient trust in God alone. 2. Of Esau. At length, to please his brother, accepts the present he makes. It is often as kind to accept as to make a present. He kindly received the wives and children of Jacob. Goes on the way before Jacob to make the way clear. Acts as his brother's guide and vanguard. Shows his forgiveness by deeds as well as by words. Without practical kindness words are "sounding brass," &c.Learn: 1. In all angry partings, remember that a future meeting will come. 2. God can still the raging of the fiercest storm of passion and revenge. 3. The reconciliation of brethren, a fit and beautiful sight. 4. We have all sinned against God, and need His forgiveness. 5. By causing Esau to forgive his brother, God shows how ready He is to forgive us. 6. Our elder Brother, Jesus, has obtained a full pardon for us. ( J. C. Gray. ) The contrast E. Craig. Reposing, therefore, with confidence on the promised protection of his God, Jacob crossed the brook at sunrise, and, rejoining his family, went calmly on his way. A short time appears to have brought on the crisis of his trial: "Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men." It is not difficult to conceive the rush of con. tending feelings that would agitate his breast when the hostile party came in sight; nor to imagine to what a height the tumult of his thoughts would increase as the two bands approached each other. Grace does not make us stoics. It controls and regulates the natural affections by subordinating them to higher principles; but men of the warmest piety, while they are preserved from an exuberant and inordinate indulgence of the affections, are generally possessed of the most tender and benevolent spirit. Excessive natural affection is a common, and in no respects a sublimated, feeling. But the leading point on which I wish at this time to fix your attention is the manifest superiority of character discoverable in Jacob when compared with his elder brother — a superiority evidently not arising from superior intellect or other natural advantages, but originating in his religious principles and habits. A fair and unprejudiced examination of the case before us will show that the godly man, the faithful servant of God through Jesus Christ, has a superiority of character to other men, both in principle and in practice. 1. He possesses a superiority of principle. To examine this more closely —(1) The first idea included in this conviction is the sense of demerit. "Gracious dealing" implies undeserved kindness on the part of God, and, consequently, defect and demerit on the part of His creature. And where such convictions dwell, it is impossible but that the individual must view the actions and thoughts of any one day of his life with abhorrence, and the dealings of God with him, from first to last, as characterized only by grace and long-suffering mercy.(2) Such a conviction includes the idea of a review of God's mercies to the soul. "God has dealt graciously with me."(3) But to the lively recollection in the Christian's mind of God's merciful dealings with him we must add the grateful acknowledgment of them. The undeserved kindness of God throughout a whole life, manifested in an infinite variety of necessities and trials, cannot pass in review before the mind without emotion.(4) This is an habitual feeling. It is not a cold philosophical speculation. It is not a rational deduction that because God is great and we are less than nothing, therefore we, of course, must be indebted to Him, and therefore we are; but it is the emotional, affectionate consciousness of obligation. And it will be invariably found that this is the character of true piety; that there is this living and influential sense of the mercy of God; and that this it is, especially, which, coming into play continually as the leading principle of action, does make its possessor a far superior character to those who are merely left to have their conduct regulated by the operation of natural principles and affections. This will become more evident as we proceed to notice — 2. The superiority of the religious man's conduct as originating in this principle. A principle so powerful could not be in action without producing very manifest results. Nor is it; for the man who truly believes the redemption of the gospel "lives no longer to himself, but unto Him who died for him." We do not say that there is no virtue among men with. out the influence of revealed religion. All the virtues of the natural character are of a much lower origin. They are spurious and defective in the motive and principle from which they spring. They are frequently constitutional. Taken, however, at their highest point, such manifestations of virtuous principle are fleeting and uncertain. Let us notice, by way of illustration, the two instances of moral virtue which arise out of the present event of Jacob's life — those of content and liberality.(1) Content. There are many persons who are tolerably satisfied with their condition. They are not always repining or envying. They are at rest, because they do not think; because they are well assured that they cannot alter them if they would; and they call this content. "I have enough." But how different is all this from that Christian content which originates, not in carelessness or sensual indifference, but in a calm, extended, fair, and manly view of the whole circumstances of the case. "Yea, God hath dealt graciously with me, and I have enough." This indicates no listless inattention to the real state of things, no reckless indifference, no resolute insusceptibility; but it is peace in the midst of, and in the calm contemplation of, every vicissitude.(2) Again, if we look to the virtue of liberality, as it is exhibited in Jacob, it differs from the liberality of the men of the world.Let us now endeavour to draw some plain practical instructions from the whole. 1. In the first place, it will be evident where we must look for the spring of superior virtue; not in the spontaneous emotions of a man's own heart, not in the strong stimulus of occasional circumstances, not in the influence of human opinion, not in the rewarded efforts of heroic resolution, but in the right appreciation of a dying Saviour's love. All other principles will fail in their own time and way. 2. Observe, this contrast of the character of Esau and Jacob will enable men of excellent moral habits to discriminate between the virtue of habit and the virtue of principle. 3. This subject speaks with peculiar force to the covetous man. True Christianity imparts, in a high degree, the graces of content and liberality. A greedy pursuit of gain is utterly inconsistent with the self-denying spirit of the gospel. This alone ought to be felt as a cutting rebuke for the love of money. ( E. Craig. ) The reconciliation W. S. Smith, B. D. I. THE FRIENDLY MEETING. II. THE PRUDENT SEPARATION. Perhaps Jacob was still a little afraid of the impetuosity of his brother. But the deepest reason why Jacob politely declined Esau's offer of help and companionship was, we may well believe, a religious one. He saw that the aims which Esau would have in view and the habits of Esau's life would not suit what he (Jacob) wished to keep in mind and do. Besides, he felt that God intended him to keep apart from his brother, and to train his family in the special knowledge of the covenant with Abraham, and of all the promises which God had given. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" III. THE MEMORIAL OF GRATITUDE. Implying — 1. Thankfulness. God had enriched, guided, defended, comforted him. 2. Faith. Jacob would trust and worship God. 3. Hope. God, who had blessed him hitherto, would help him now and in his further career. ( W. S. Smith, B. D. ) Needlessness of anxiety C. H. M. The present was quite unnecessary; the plan useless. God "appeased" Esau, as He had already appeased Laban. Thus it is He ever delights to rebuke our poor, coward, unbelieving hearts, and put to flight all our fears, Instead of the dreaded sword of Esau, Jacob meets his embrace and kiss; instead of strife and conflict, they mingle their tears. Such are God's ways. Who would not trust Him? Who would not honour Him with the heart's fullest confidence? Why is it that, notwithstanding all the sweet evidence of His faithfulness to those who put their trust in Him, we are so ready, on every fresh occasion, to doubt and hesitate? The answer is simple, we are not sufficiently acquainted with God. "Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace" ( Job 22:21 ). This is true, whether in reference to the unconverted sinner or to the child of God. The true knowledge of God, real acquaintance with Him, is life and peace. ( C. H. M. ) Lessons G. Hughes, B. D. 1. God's promise falls not short in making men yield to His saints. 2. Where God moveth, even wicked men will make speed and run to show kindness to His servants. 3. The hardest hearts melt in affection when God toucheth them. 4. When men please God, enemies are made friends to them ( Proverbs 16:7 ). 5. Where greatest danger is feared, God turns it to greatest love. 6. It is natural for brethren, good and bad, to melt in tears upon providential turns and meetings (ver. 4 ). ( G. Hughes, B. D. ) Lessons G. Hughes, B. D. 1. Brotherly respect unto brethren will work kind inquisition after their relations. 2. Love makes queries to know such relations as are to be beloved. 3. Truth, piety, and humility become all the answers to be made unto queries of love by God's servants. 4. Children are to be acknowledged the fruit of God's mercy and goodness to His ( Psalm 127:3 ). 5. The anger of enraged men is turned into love and tenderness best by self-denying submission. The reed overcomes the wind by yielding; the oaks fall by resisting (ver. 5). 6. It becometh family relations to keep order designed by their head. 7. Orderly approach and submission is the way to gain acceptance with great men. 8. Providence works by motions of creatures to turn hearts from fury to love (vers. 6, 7). ( G. Hughes, B. D. ) The reconciliation of Esau and Jacob F. Bourdillon. 1. Brotherly love is a precious thing; let it be guarded well. Be just, and true, and kind to one another; and let a spirit of forbearance and forgiveness prevail. 2. We see here a striking example of prayer. Wrong as Jacob had been before, he was right in this. 3. Jacob sets us an example also of wisdom and prudence. He prayed; yet he used all the means in his power. 4. The very word reconciliation cannot but remind us of the great reconciliation — that between the sinner and God. If God, in answer to prayer, disposed Esau to be reconciled to his brother, surely He Himself will not refuse pardon, reconciliation, and acceptance to one who has offended Him. 5. God will give His Holy Spirit to those that ask Him; and in this office, among others, as the spirit of peace. He will help those of one family to live together in peace, to bear and forbear, to love as brethren. Nay, more: He can, by the same mighty influence, create a new heart in those who have as yet been far from Him. ( F. Bourdillon. ) I have enough. Genesis 33:9, 11 Contentment from two points of view I. HERE IS AN UNGODLY MAN WHO HAS ENOUGH (ver. 9). Esau. Unconverted men are sometimes contented with their lot in this life. 1. It is not always or often so: they are mostly a dissatisfied company. 2. It is sometimes so: as in the case of Esau. This may arise from — (1) A want of energy. (2) A naturally easy disposition, readily pleased. (3) Utter recklessness, which only considers present pleasure. 3. It has some good points about it. (1) As preventing greed, and the oppression which comes of it. (2) As often promoting a good-natured liberality, and the disposition to "live and let live." 4. Yet it has its evil side. (1) It leads men to boast of their wealth or acquirements, who would not do so if they were craving for more. (2) It tends to breed a contempt for spiritual riches. (3) It may thus be a sign of having one's portion in this life. II. HERE IS A GODLY MAN WHO HAS ENOUGH (ver. 11). Jacob. 1. It is a pity that this is not true of every Christian man. 2. It is delightful to have enough. Contentment surpasses riches. 3. It is pleasant to have somewhat to spare for the poor ( Ephesians 4:28 ). 4. It is blessed to have all this through our God. Jacob said, "God hath dealt graciously with me, and I have enough." 5. It is best of all to have all things. In the margin we read that Jacob said, "I have all things." "All things are yours" ( 1 Corinthians 3:22 ). (1) All that the believer needs is promised in the covenant. (2) All things in providence work together for his good. (3) In having God for his portion he has more than all.Thus he has enough of strength and grace. Enough in Christ, in the Word, and in the Spirit. Enough in God's love, power and faithfulness, and an immeasurable supply in God Himself, whose name is "God All-sufficient." The child of God should be ashamed of discontent, since even a common sinner may be free from it. He should be heartily satisfied; for he has all things, and what more can he desire? " O rest in the Lord" ( Psalm 37:7 ). ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) Lessons G. Hughes, B. D. 1. Natural affection will urge to inquire of the outward state of brethren as well as of relations. 2. Modesty in nature will expostulate about brethren's offers of love rather then covetously take them. 3. Providential occurrences of good pretended may occasion natural men to inquire about them. 4. Humble souls as under providence they do seek favour with men by presents, so they profess it (ver. 8). 5. It is possible for natural men to have a kind of sufficiency and content in their possessions. 6. Nature may desire others to keep their own, as it is contented with its portion. 7. Nature is apt to think earthly possessions enough without God (ver. 9). 8. Ingenuity and grace is not only liberal, but urgent to have fruits of love accepted. 9. Acceptance of loving presents is a token of acceptance of persons. 10. It is just cause of importunity in pressing pacifying presents when God's face is seen in reconciled adversaries. 11. Unexpected love from displeased ones engageth to press kindness on them (ver. 10). 12. Presents of gracious souls from God to men are blessings. 13. Grace is importunate with man as well as with God to win Him. 14. God's gracious respects to saints causeth them so to respect their brethren. 15. God's Jacobs, gracious souls, they have not only enough, but all in the grace of God. 16. The all-sufficiency which God giveth His saints makes them so pressing kindness to others. 17. Nature is overcome by the importunity of grace to accept an outward blessing. 18. Brotherly conference is the way of winning upon men of bad spirits. All this between Jacob and Esau is by loving parley. ( G. Hughes, B. D. ) Christian contentment A poor Christian woman, who was breaking her fast upon a crust and a cup of water, exclaimed, "What! all this and Christ too! " ( C. H. Spurgeon . )A Puritan preacher asking a blessing on a herring and potatoes, said, "Lord, we thank Thee that Thou hast ransacked sea and land to find food for Thy children." ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) Angelic content Maxims for Meditation. The great cry with everybody is, "Get on! get on!" just as if the world were travelling post. How astonished these people will be, if they arrive in heaven, to find the angels, who are much wiser than they, laying no schemes to be made archangels! ( Maxims for Meditation. ) Content from a quiet mind Is not the bee as well contented with feeding on the dew, or sucking from a flower, as the ox that grazeth on the mountains? Contentment lies within a man, in the heart; and the way to be comfortable is not by having our barrels filled, but our minds quieted. The contented man (saith Seneca)is the happy man ..... Discontent robs a man of the power to enjoy what he possesses. A drop or two of vinegar will sour a whole glass of wine. ( T. Watson . ) Contentment of the unregenerate As a typical instance of the contentment of some unregenerate persons, note the following: "A captain of a whale-ship told one of the wretched natives of Greenland that he sincerely pitied the miserable life to which he was condemned. 'Miserable!' exclaimed the savage. 'I have always had a fish-bone through my nose, and plenty of train-oil to drink: what more could I desire?'" ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) I have enough J. Parker, D. D. 1. The first man who ever said so. 2. What even non-spiritual men may say. Should not Christians say more? 3. Property should be a heart-store. 4. "Enough" can never be true of spiritual blessings. 5. The evils of avaricious grasping. 6. We must not be avaricious, even on the plea that it is for others, 7. Christianity should be proved by contentment. Examples of Christ and Paul. ( J. Parker, D. D. ) The children are tender. Genesis 33:13 Gently! gently! I. LET US VIEW JACOB AS AN EXAMPLE TO US. Tender consideration for the young and feeble. 1. How we may overdrive.(1) Puzzling them with deep and controversial points of doctrine, and condemning them because they are not quite correct in their opinions ( Romans 14:1 ).(2) Setting up a standard of experience, and frowning at them because they have not felt all the sorrows or ecstasies which we have known.(3) Requiring a high degree of faith, courage, patience, and other graces which in their case can only be tender buds.(4) Fault-finding and never commending. 2. Why we should not overdrive the lambs.(1) Common humanity forbids.(2) Our own experience when we were young should teach us better.(3) We may again become weak, and need great forbearance.(4) We love them too well to be hard with them.(5) Jesus thinks so much of them that we cannot worry them.(6) The Holy Spirit dwells in them, and we must be gentle towards the faintest beginning of His work.(7) We should be doing Satan's work if we did overburden them.(8) We should thus prove ourselves to have little wisdom and less grace. If we kill the lambs now, where shall we get our sheep from next year?(9) We dare not bear the responsibility of offending these little ones, for terrible woes are pronounced on those who do them wrong.(10) We remember how tender Jesus is: and this brings us to our second point. II. LET US VIEW JACOB AS A PICTURE OF OUR LORD JESUS. See His portrait in Isaiah 40:11 . 1. The weak have a special place in His love. 2. He will not have it that any of them should die. 3. Therefore He never overdrives one of them. 4. But He suits His pace to their feebleness, "I will lead on softly" ( Genesis 33:15 ).I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Has He not thus been very tender to us? " Thy gentleness hath made me great" ( Psalm 18:35 ). Let us not fret and worry as though He were an exactor. We are not driven by Jehu, but led by Jesus. Let us rest in His love. At the same time let us not be slower than need be. Towards others let us be tenderness itself, for we are to love our neighbour as ourselves. ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) Jacob's precaution M. M. Kalisch, Ph. D. The angels of peace and of love seem to hover over the charm of the preceding scene; and the heart lingers with delight in contemplating the noble emulation of generosity and confidence. But is not this harmony too soon disturbed? Does not again a spirit of suspicion and reserve overshadow the mind of Jacob? Is he incapable of rising to the natural purity of his disinterested brother? Or does his keen intellect teach him how imprudent it would be unguardedly to rely upon the fallacious calmness of a passionate mind? Admitted even, that Jacob's apprehensions were, in this respect, exaggerated, his precaution was the result of a deep insight into Esau's character; the most insignificant circumstance might recall to his memory the events of the past; his rage might be re-kindled; and, though perhaps later bewailing his rashness, he might, by his superiority, be misled to deeds of cruel revenge. When, therefore, Esau wished to accompany Jacob, for protection, through the regions with which his excursions had made him familiar, the latter cautiously declined the offer; he refused even

Benson Commentary Genesis 33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. Genesis 33:1 . Behold, Esau came — Who had said, Genesis 27:41 , “I will slay my brother Jacob;” and with him four hundred men — A force sufficient for him to do what he had threatened. Genesis 33:2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. Genesis 33:2-3 . He put Rachel and Joseph hinder-most — Giving those that were dearest to him most opportunity to escape. He passed over before them — Exposing himself to the first and greatest danger for the security of his wives and children. He bowed himself to the ground — Thus doing obeisance to Esau as an elder brother, though he feared him as an enemy. Genesis 33:3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. Genesis 33:4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. Genesis 33:4 . Esau ran to meet him — Not in anger, but in love: so wonderfully and suddenly had God, who hath the hearts of all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases, changed his heart; and of an implacable enemy, made him a kind and affectionate friend! Embraced him, fell on his neck, and kissed him — God is the God of nature, and to be without natural affection is to be without God. They wept — Jacob wept for joy to be thus kindly received; Esau, perhaps, with grief and shame, to think of the ill design he had conceived against his brother. Genesis 33:5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. Genesis 33:5 . Who are these with thee? — Jacob had sent Esau an account of the increase of his estate, but had made no mention of his children, perhaps because he would not expose them to his rage if he should meet him as an enemy. Esau, therefore, had reason to make this inquiry: to which Jacob returned a serious answer: They are the children which God hath graciously given thy servant — He speaks of his children as God’s gifts; a heritage of the Lord, and as choice gifts, graciously given him. Though they were many, and but slenderly provided for, yet he accounts them great blessings. Genesis 33:6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves. Genesis 33:7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. Genesis 33:8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. Genesis 33:9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. Genesis 33:10 . As though I had seen the face of God — That is, thy meeting me in this peaceable manner is very comfortable and refreshing to me, and an evident token of God’s favour to me, Psalm 41:11 . Or, I have seen thee reconciled to me, and at peace with me, as I desire to see God reconciled. Genesis 33:11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it . Genesis 33:11 . Take, I pray thee, my blessing — This gift, which, as I received it from God, I heartily give thee, with my blessing and prayer that God would bless it to thee. Genesis 33:12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. Genesis 33:12 . Let us go, I will go before thee — He offers himself to be Jacob’s guide and companion, in token of a sincere reconciliation. We do not find that Jacob and Esau were ever before so loving with one another as they were now. God had made Esau, not only not an enemy, but a friend. He is become fond of Jacob’s company, and invites him to go along with him to mount Seir. Let us never despair of any, nor distrust God, in whose hands all hearts are. Genesis 33:13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. Genesis 33:14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. Genesis 33:14 . Until I come unto my lord, to mount Seir — As no mention is made of it, many writers think, that, for some reasons, Jacob never went to mount Seir to see Esau. Certainly it is very doubtful whether he ever did. It cannot be supposed however, that he would delay so long as the time mentioned in the twenty-fifth chapter before he went to see his father. Genesis 33:15 And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord. Genesis 33:15 . He said, What needeth it ? — Esau having offered some of his men to be his guard and convoy, Jacob humbly refuses his offer. He is under the divine protection, and needs no other. Those are sufficiently guarded who have God for their guard, and are under a convoy of his hosts, as Jacob was. Jacob adds only, Let me find grace in the sight of my lord — Having thy favour, I have all I need, all I desire from thee. Genesis 33:16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir. Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. Genesis 33:17 . Jacob journeyed to Succoth — A place afterward known by that name, in the tribe of Gad, on the other side Jordan; here he rested for the present, set up booths for his cattle, and built a house; doubtless some slight building, because he intended not to stay there; with other conveniences for himself and family. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth — That is, booths, that when his posterity afterward dwelt in houses of stone, they might remember that the Syrian, ready to perish, was their father, who was glad of booths, Deuteronomy 26:5 . Genesis 33:18-19 . Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem — Or rather, as the Hebrew may be rendered, he came safe, or in peace, to the city of Shechem. After a perilous journey, in which he had met with many difficulties, he came safe at last into Canaan. He bought a parcel of a field — For his present possession and use; for the right which he already had to it was only in reversion, after the time that God had appointed. Of the children of Hamor — That is, subjects, called children, to signify the duty which they owed to him, and the care and affection he owed to them. Shechem’s father — He only of Hamor’s sons is mentioned, because he was more honourable than the rest of his brethren, ( Genesis 34:19 ,) and so might probably transact this affair with Jacob, the rest consenting thereto. Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. Genesis 33:19 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money. Genesis 33:20 And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael. Genesis 33:20 . He erected there an altar — 1st, In thankfulness to God, for the good hand of his providence over him. 2d, That he might keep up religion and the worship of God in his family. He dedicated this altar to the honour of El-elohe-Israel, God the God of Israel: to the honour of God in general, the only living and true God, the best of Beings, the first of causes: and to the honour of the God of Israel, as a God in covenant with him. God had lately called him by the name of Israel; and now he calls God the God of Israel. Though he be styled a prince with God, God shall still be a prince with him, his Lord and his God. Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.

Expositor's Bible Commentary Genesis 33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. The Expositor's Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.