Genesis 33:1-11

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. 2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 5 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.”

6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

8 Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”

“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.

9 But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”

10 “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. 11 Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

New International Version (NIV)

Have you seen the face of forgiveness? If you ever see it, you will never forget it. All of us need to be forgiven. We fear that those whom we have most harmed will never forgive. Not long ago, I made a promise that I did not keep. When I reached out, I feared that those involved would assume the worst about me. As I waited to hear back, I felt deep disappointment in myself and anxiety that they might not forgive.

After Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, he prepared to meet his brother Esau’s army. Lining up his family, he hoped to protect them somehow from his brother’s wrath. Esau ran to him, embraced him, and wept with him. Meeting his brother’s family for the first time, Esau asked about all of the flocks.  Jacob looked for favor in his older brother’s eyes. Esau did not want Jacob’s possessions, but Jacob insisted on giving them to his brother. Listen to his rationale: “For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably."

Soon enough, right on God’s standard time, my friends called back. They were not angry. They gave me grace. Their face was like the face of God to me. Do you ever wonder what God’s face looks like toward his children? It is the face of forgiveness. God’s favor cannot be bought. But if we expect the worst from God, he surprises us by joy. He wants to forgive us even more than we want to be forgiven. As we turn from our foolish failures, we look to God’s face for favor, and we find it. God’s face is the face of forgiveness. If we ever see it, we will never forget it.

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Pray with me:

Father, we long to see your face. We know we have failed you. Forgive us for presuming the worst. Let the transforming power of your loving countenance change everything today. When we want to run and hide, teach us to run toward you. We do not presume, but we thank you that you forgive. Help us to forgive each other, 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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