Genesis 33:4 But Esau ran up and embraced him, held him tight and kissed him. And they both wept.

Remarkable! This is Esau’s reaction when he saw his brother for the first time again after all those years. It is remarkable that Esau hugged Jacob rather than picking up a stone and throwing it at him. After all, there was a time when he wanted to do that. Especially right after Jacob cheated him out of his birthright and blessing.

Now they were meeting again after many years, and Jacob was terrified. He remembered everything he had done to his brother. He knew how he and his mother had played a trick on his father and stole Esau’s blessing.

Jacob also knew how he would’ve acted if he had been in Esau’s shoes. The hurt and hardship of the past might have driven him to murder. That is precisely why he slunk up to Esau, like a dog with his tail between his legs, slowly, step by step.

Jacob had good reason to be scared. And I suspect that we would also have come slinking in if we had done such things.

But Esau did not pick up a stone. No, he ran over and hugged his brother. He kissed him and cried with him. The deeds of the past were now behind them. What lay ahead was more important than what lay behind them.

As the saying goes: He was a changed man. Esau acted the exact opposite of what one would’ve expected! Why? Because somewhere along the way he had run into God. And an intimate relationship with God changes your path.

When you live close to God, the paths you walk through life change. Then you forget the bad things that others have done to you. Then retribution is no longer on the cards.

Esau is an example for all of us.

Forgiveness and peace are not always easy. But with God it is possible.

Prayer
Father, I realise that I cannot do this on my own. Please guide me. Walk before me. I want to follow You and learn to act differently than I would if I had not walked the path with You …

Questions
Who should you embrace today, rather than retaliate?
What is holding you back from making peace?
What step today will build tomorrow’s future?

 Now do this
Think of someone where you still feel tension or hurt in your relationship and ask God to soften your heart for reconciliation.
Take a small step towards healing by sending a message, making a call, or just honestly telling God you are willing to seek peace.
Choose forgiveness over retaliation and trust God with the outcome.