Your callous words, your thoughtless, and selfish actions have caused someone in your life to suffer unspeakable pain. But rather than try to apologize, you’ve avoided this person for years. The rift becomes deeper, along with the feeling that nothing will ever change in the relationship — it has just been too long.

You’re not alone. So goes the story of Jacob, one of the biblical patriarchs.

Jacob was born moments behind his twin brother Esau, his hand grasping his brother’s heel — so his name, Jacob, is an idiom in Hebrew for “he deceives.”

Esau should have received the birthright, meaning he would be his father’s heir — an honor given to the firstborn. But Jacob tricked Esau into giving it to him. Not only that, he and his mother deceived his father, Isaac, into giving Jacob his blessing — a favor Isaac had been saving for Esau.

Understandably, Esau was livid. He swore he would exact his revenge upon his brother after his father died. So Jacob fled, afraid for his life.

Years passed. Jacob and Esau lived separate lives — until Jacob decided to make things right with his brother and apologize. He genuinely thought Esau would kill him when they met. Instead, Jacob was received with a loving, tearful embrace. God had been working on both of their hearts. What a beautiful picture of reconciliation!

Do you need to make things right with someone? Let’s take a lesson from Jacob — it’s never too late.

Thank you that you are the God who restores. Help me to surrender my shame and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation to those whom I’ve hurt. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Go Deeper — Prayerfully consider if there’s anyone in your life who deserves an apology from you. Pick up the phone or write a letter to this person. Forgiveness may not come right away, but it’s the first step to reconciliation.

Read Further — Are you having a difficult time getting over the wrong someone has done to you? Read How I’m Getting Rid of All Bitterness.



Tags: The Patriarchs Genesis 33
Photo Credit: james ballard