Text verses: Genesis 33; Proverbs 16:7

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)

Genesis 33 presents two clear pictures for God’s People to see – first, the change in Esau toward Jacob; and second, the effect of humility upon the enemies.

In studying the background of Esau and Jacob, the believer can see that Esau represents Old Testament Israel and Jacob represents the New Testament Church.

The Apostle Paul sheds light on this in Romans 9:1-24. Note especially verses 6b-8:

“…For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” (Romans 9:6b)

“Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” (Romans 9:7)

“That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” (Romans 9:8)

The Apostle Paul identified the “two nations” that God revealed to Rebekah were in her womb in Esau and Jacob. God said to her:

“And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23)

In Esau and Jacob, the Apostle Paul was not describing who was “saved” – but he was revealing the difference in the children of the flesh and the Children of Promise. (Please read Romans 9:6-24.) Romans 9:22-24 reveal the vessels of mercy had to do with “…the purpose of God according to election…” (Romans 9:11c); “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” (Romans 9:23).

The Apostle Paul further identifies the difference in these two groups in Galatians 3:14-16. Those in the Old Testament were not ordained to experience the New Birth from above. In Galatians, Paul says:

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)

However, this does not mean that Esau did not know God – for he did. His actions toward Jacob reveal that he did know God (see Genesis 33:4-16).

The primary focus of this devotion is to use Jacob’s and Esau’s actions to show the Signs of the Change; the Change being in one that has been born from above, or regenerated (Jacob in type). Then we shall see the Effect this Changed Person has on the enemy.

A. The Effort (Genesis 33:3)

“And he (Jacob) passed over before them (being Esau’s 400 men), and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he (Jacob) came near to his brother (Esau).” (Genesis 33:3)

This scene of Jacob bowing to his enemies was a sign of humility on Jacob’s part. (When Jacob left, twenty years prior to this time; Esau, Jacob’s brother, had sworn to kill Jacob for stealing his birthright and the highest blessing from his father, Isaac. See Genesis 25:30-34; 27:34-35, 41.)

Humility is a fruit of the Spirit of God, and not a fruit of the flesh of man. The definition of humility is: (1) to be of low estate, of low degree, brought low, even lowliness of mind (Philippians 2:13; Colossians 3:12), or humbleness of mind, the meek of the earth (Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 5:5; Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1); (2) it is defined in the word subjection in the love of God.

God made a definite promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I…

(a) “hear from heaven…
(b) “and will forgive their sin…
(c) “and will heal their land.”

It is in this last phrase that Jacob found God to be true; as his action, his posture, was one of humility – God healed Esau’s heart toward Jacob.

Note further God’s promises for the humble:

(a) “…he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” (Psalms 9:12)
(b) “…and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
(c) “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

The key to this matter is found in James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he (the Lord) shall lift you up.”

Therefore, the first thing a Child of God must do is to humble himself before God. 1 Peter 5:5b says, “…Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility…”

There can be no outward humility without an inward subjection to God and to one another. To subject, or to submit, is to “rank oneself under another.”

Jesus humbled Himself to the Eternal Purpose of God and become obedient (Philippians 2:8). Jesus commands His Children to do the same (Luke14:11; 18:14).

Humility is God’s way for His Children to conquer their enemies. So it was with Jacob’s actions to Esau, his brother, who 20 years earlier had vowed to kill Jacob.

Yes, it takes great effort on the part of the Child of God to be humble before the enemy. But if you want success, and you want to please God – you must humble yourself before God and man.

B. The Effect (Genesis 33:4)

“And Esau ran to meet him (Jacob), and…

(a) “embraced him…”; sign of affection for his brother;
(b) “and fell on his neck, and kissed him…”; a sign of forgiveness and welcome back home;
(c) “and they wept.”

Oh, what a change in Esau from Genesis 27:41, “And Esau hated Jacob because…” But now notice his heart is tender and forgiving toward his brother, Jacob.

Why the change? It is the answer to God’s Promise:

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)

Why? Because Jacob followed the Righteousness of God; he followed God’s Way to change the enemy. Praise God, His Promises are Sure and Amen in Christ!

When a man has been given a new nature in Regeneration; his ways reflect God’s Word and Will:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

He desires to and does, by God’s Power, walk in the Love and Light of God. He walks circumspectly, filled with the Spirit of God; praising God; and in submission to one another. (See Ephesians 5:1-33.) He seeks those things above; he sets his affections on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-3). Why? “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Jacob (in Genesis 33:3) is our example of a Changed, Regenerated Child of God. (See Genesis 32:24-30.) His fruit (his humility) toward Esau is proof of his change; and Esau’s actions are proof of God honoring His Word to change Jacob’s enemy.

Not only did God work forgiveness in Esau’s heart; God also worked:

(a) No greed or covetousness in Esau;
(b) Peace ruled in Esau’s heart;
(c) Esau had great concern for Jacob’s safety.

C. The End (Genesis 33:17-20)

The end of the story is Jacob, home and worshiping God. Genesis 33:20 says, “And he (Jacob) erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel.”

This is the desired and ordained place of every Child of God in the spiritual realm; that is, to be in God’s Presence, beholding His Glory (see John 17:21-24). In His Presence is our home. Hallelujah!

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