Genesis 32:13-21

13 He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds.”

17 He instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ 18 then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’”

19 He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: “You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. 20 And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.” 21 So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

New International Version (NIV)

“Well son. You’ve made a lot of people pretty mad around here. But I’m not gonna hit ya.”  My friend Lance could say those words in a perfect imitation of John Wayne. In the movie, John Wayne abruptly changed his mind and hit the young man to get his attention. Left to our own devices, we can create major messes. Who will call us to account?

Jacob had angered both his brother and his father-in-law. To this point in the story, we don’t see much about Jacob to admire. He was chosen by God, not on the basis of his character or achievements.  God’s choice of Jacob shows us a portrait of grace. As he returned to face his brother, Jacob spoke his own love-language of gift-giving. Clearly, Jacob valued possessions. If he gave his brother enough herds and flocks, perhaps it would appease and assuage his anger. How many? Five hundred fifty animals in total. Instead of greed, we finally see generosity in Jacob. Like Zacchaeus, he stops stealing and starts sharing. 

In addition to the economic incentive, Jacob humbled himself by having his servants call him Esau’s servant. Esau knew Jacob was his brother. As far as we can see, Jacob has never shown much humility to his brother. But Jacob feared his brother Esau would keep his earlier promise and kill him.  Jacob did all this to soften his brother’s attitude towards him. Sending the entourage ahead, Jacob remained alone.

Who is angry at you? Is it for good cause? One of my mentors taught me, “In your worst enemy’s criticism you may find a kernel of truth. Hear them out before you dismiss them.” That is not what I wanted to hear at the time. Esau’s anger at Jacob was justified. Jacob had stolen from him twice.  Years away from family had changed Jacob. God was transforming him, remaking him into one who could receive the ancestral promise offered to Abraham and Isaac before him.

How is God changing you today? Paul told the Christians in Rome that God want to transform them by renewing their minds. God’s greatest work in our lives is not transactional, but transformational. Give to others. Become a servant. Ask a trusted friend how you need to grow to become more like Christ.

Pray with me:

Father, we acknowledge that our own choices often land us in hot water. Our self-improvement projects seem insufficient to engender the change we need. Renew our minds. Transform us.  Caterpillar to butterfly, whatever it takes, make us over again, we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our Monday through Friday devotionals are in the book of Genesis this year. Join us for these devotionals as we learn together about our God and his Kingdom in the world.  

We also invite you to join us as we read through the Bible. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2025 Bible Reading Plan

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