RPG Adults
“LET BROTHERLY LOVE PREVAIL”
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Genesis 33:4-20
Psalm 12
Blessed are those whose
transgressions are forgiven.
“LET BROTHERLY LOVE PREVAIL”
No more striving over the disputed blessing and coveted birthright. Those had been settled. What mattered then was just the joy of brothers restored, and the pleasure of seeing the large family gathered from Padanaram. What a gathering it was that day! Jacob’s prayer of the night before was more than answered. The wrestling angel’s blessing also came to pass. Israel, prince of God, had prevailed!
Once the initial doubts were cleared and the brothers were reconciled, their relationships were back to normal. Each one was literally overflowing with kindness towards the other. The old rivalry and ill feelings were instantly dissolved, “forgiven and forgotten.” Here is a lesson for brothers and relatives. There are no grievances or hard feelings that cannot be resolved. While there is life and opportunity to love one another, we ought to do so. As Christ has loved us, so we ought to love one another. And loving means acts of kindness, and not mere words. All too often, someone will say, “I wish we had visited him earlier. Now he’s gone.” Yes, do not wait until the opportunity is past.
Looking back on Isaac’s household, one is tempted to ask hypothetical questions, e.g. supposing the parents had not played favourites and had treated the twin boys impartially, would all the conflict and trickery have arisen? We are prone to run up imaginary situations, to no good purpose. The fact is this. God uses imperfect and even disobedient men and women, with their interplay of human emotions and interactions, to bring about the fulfilment of His eternal purposes.
So, we see: Esau’s threat caused Jacob to flee to Padanaram, Laban’s deceit caused Jacob to marry two sisters, the sisters’ strife brought in their handmaids to increase the family, and so on. Thus, Jacob ended up with twelve sons!
THOUGHT: A word at the right time is better than thousands at the wrong time.
PRAYER: Father, teach me to love my brother as myself.