Revenge: Jacob & Esau

00:00:00 Speaker 1: But I tell you love your enemies, Bless those who curse you, Do good to those who hate you. Matthew five forty four, Heavenly Father, the command to love our enemies challenges the very core of our human instincts. It pushes us toward grace and compassion that only you can provide. Lord, Fill our hearts with your love, a love that doesn't discriminate and knows no bounds. Help us to see those who oppose or hurt us not as enemies, but as fellow souls in need of your grace. Grant us the strength and courage to pray for their well being and to seek opportunities for reconciliation and peace. In loving our enemies, let us be beacons of your light in a world often darkened by hatred and division. May our actions reflect the transformative power of your love, inspiring others to embrace your call to love unconditionally. 00:01:21 Speaker 2: Help us to. 00:01:22 Speaker 1: Remember that in loving those who are the hardest to love, we are living out the very essence of the Gospel, following in the footsteps of Jesus, who loved us at our worst. In his precious name, we pray, Amen, Thank you for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, Gospel stories crafted with a cinematic flare. If you've enjoyed this podcast, share it with a friend. It's a small act that has a large impact. Thanks for partnering with us. 00:02:07 Speaker 3: You have heard it said, and I for an eye and a. 00:02:10 Speaker 1: Tooth for a tooth, Jesus shouted. It was a common saying. The entire East had been given that notion of justice. The crime fits the punishment. Revenge was lawful if it was deserved. But Jesus heartbeat to a different rhythm than the philosophers and teachers of the time. He had a different ethic, a higher standard. 00:02:37 Speaker 3: But I say to you, do not resist an evil one. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, well let him have your cloak as well. 00:02:51 Speaker 1: Jesus stretched out his arms earnestly. You could tell he was speaking from a deep longing for people's hearts to turn. 00:02:58 Speaker 4: You have heard it was said, you shall love your neighbor, and you shall hate your enemy. But I tell you love your enemies, Bless those who curse you, Do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and even persecute you. 00:03:18 Speaker 2: For in this people will know. 00:03:21 Speaker 4: They will know that you are children of God because of the way that you shall mercy and love to those who haven't even shown it to you. 00:03:31 Speaker 3: For God makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good. 00:03:35 Speaker 2: He sends rain to the just and the unjust. 00:03:39 Speaker 4: If you only love those who love you, what reward do you have. 00:03:44 Speaker 3: Don't even the tax collectors do the same. If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same. Therefore you shall be impartial, just as your heavenly Father is perfect in his mercy to all. 00:04:06 Speaker 5: Are you in pain after walking, running, or even just standing, It's not your feet, it's your shoes. 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It shows that we can't see the first, second, and third order effects of our decisions, not realizing that our revenge just multiplies our suffering and the suffering in the world. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan with pray dot Com. We've been going through a series on the Sermon on the Mount. We've been connecting the teachings of Jesus to other biblical stories, showing how the entire Bible speaks to itself, reaffirming timeless truths for us all. If you have the time, take a moment to share this podcast with a few friends. It's a small act of kindness towards us as we want these stories to be heard by everyone. 00:06:00 Speaker 7: No, no, no, please, Father, I can't bear this life without your blessing it. 00:06:06 Speaker 1: Esau's large frame shook with grief as he groveled on his knees in front of Isaac. 00:06:12 Speaker 8: I'm so sorry, my son, Your prosik came deceitfully and took your blessing away. 00:06:22 Speaker 1: The promise has been given to Jacob, Esau's brother. Jacob disguised himself to gain his father's blessing. It was a passing of the torch from Abraham to Isaac, and now Isaac to Jacob. God's favor and promise would be bestowed on the younger twin, not the older. Esau's harry and large body convulsed from a mixture of rage and sorrow. 00:06:52 Speaker 7: God, you still bless me, Father. 00:06:54 Speaker 1: Esau reached for Isaac's hand, but it was pulled away and he turned his head. He saw clenched his fist and pounded the floor. 00:07:05 Speaker 7: That snake. You were right to name him, Jacob. He's a deceiver. He cheated me twice. First he took away from birth. Right now my blessing. 00:07:18 Speaker 1: He saw stood kicked over a pot as he screamed in rage. He turned to his father again, Is it nothing. 00:07:26 Speaker 7: Left for me? Was any blessing reserve for the other brother? 00:07:30 Speaker 8: I have made Jacob lord over you. He will have the servants, the livestock, the grain, and the wine. What left would I have for you? 00:07:42 Speaker 1: My son, he saw, wasn't a clever man like his brother. He lived with his belly and whims. He wasn't patient or creative. He was an honest brute. He wore his confusion and frus He bowed again, asking his father the same question, as if there would be a different answer. 00:08:07 Speaker 7: Do you have at least one blessing for me? 00:08:10 Speaker 1: Tears rolled down his rugged face. If Isaac could see anything, it would be a pitiful sight. 00:08:18 Speaker 8: Behold away from the fatness of the earth your dwelling shall be. You will be distant from the dew of heaven. You will live by the sword and serve your brother. When you grow restless, you shall break his yoke from your neck and move on. 00:08:38 Speaker 1: The words were a final seal, a decisive declaration that Jacob was now the inheritor of Isaac's promise, passed down from Abraham through Jacob, the blessing of God would endure. He saw stormed out of the. 00:08:56 Speaker 8: Tent and looked around Jacob. 00:08:59 Speaker 1: He grabbed his bowl and air, searching frantically for his twin. 00:09:02 Speaker 7: Come out, you coward, your fief, your dog. 00:09:06 Speaker 1: Jacob was nowhere to be seen. Esau drew his blade and cut his hand. He raised his fist to the air, blood dripping from his palm, down his arm, and on to the dirt. 00:09:19 Speaker 4: After I'm mourned my father and bury him, I will have my revenge. 00:09:26 Speaker 7: I will kill my brother Jacob. 00:09:29 Speaker 1: Esau's promise for vengeance reached Jacob's here, so he fled from his father's household. On the run from his brother, he started his own family, waiting for a time when he could claim the blessing and birthright he stole from his brother. Deception, tricks, half truths, all the sins Jacob had committed to get ahead were catching up to him. He tricked his father into giving him his blessing, He deceived his father in law before fleeing with his daughters, and he cheated his brother out of his birthright. Now his brother, Esau was approaching with hundreds of men behind him. Years ago, Esau had vowed to kill Jacob, and now it seemed that the time had come. Jacob prayed to the Lord for mercy. He sent gifts of penance to his brother, but there was no predicting what would come of it. Jacob looked at his family with tears in his eyes. 00:10:44 Speaker 2: What have I done? 00:10:45 Speaker 1: He had acquired so much through deception and flattery, but now none seemed worth it. His name was Jacob, meaning heel grabber. Every one in his land knew what his name really meant, deceiver. At that moment, he wished he could have lived up to his name. He looked at his oldest brother, Reuben, and held his shoulders. 00:11:12 Speaker 2: Keep the family safe, Ye hear me? 00:11:15 Speaker 1: Reuben nodded, and the rest of the family departed down the valley. The further away they were from him, the better. Jacob stood over the precipice and looked down at Esau's camp. He wondered what fate would await him at the bottom of the hill. Would his sins finally catch up to him, would his brother respond to his kind gesture, Would God answer his plea for mercy. Jacob considered these things and turned around. A man stood behind him, his gaze intense and challenging. Jake peered closely at him, but remained silent. There was something different about him. The ground around him felt powerful holy. He looked around and suddenly remembered where he was Mahanaim, God's camp. Whoever this person was, he was sent from God, or perhaps he was God. The stranger walked closer and Jacob removed his tunic. His pace became quicker, and Jacob began running toward him. They converged in the dirt and gravel, wrestling to subdue each other. Jacob knew instantly that he was outmatched, but it did not keep him from striving. If this man was God, then Jacob had to fight. He had to contend and accept the challenge of struggling with him. Jacob wrapped his arms around the man's legs and drove him into the dirt. He tried to make him submit, but the man wrapped Jacob up with his legs and threw him to the laughter. Jacob released himself and walked backwards. The two of them panted, priming themselves for another round. Jacob made the first move and launched himself forward, but the man tripped him into the dirt and held him down. As he fought memories of all Jacob's sins flooded back into his mind. He wanted God's blessing so badly that he was willing to do anything for it, even lie as he rolled in the blood and sweat so dirt. There was no talking his way into a blessing, no lies, no religious babble, just him and God struggling to gain an advantage over the other. Jacob knew there was no winning, but that didn't mean he would stop. The two of them wrestled all night. Finally, when the man saw that Jacob would not relent, he placed a hand on his hip and popped it out of place. Jacob shouted in intense pain. It shot through his hip and leg, but he didn't let go. He grasped onto his leg, refusing to let him walk away. The man looked at the sun's ray slowly peeking over the mountains. Then he looked down at Jacob. 00:15:02 Speaker 2: Let me go, the day has broken. 00:15:06 Speaker 1: Tears streamed down Jacob's swollen and dirty face. 00:15:09 Speaker 7: Never, I won't. 00:15:11 Speaker 1: The man tugged his leg away, but Jacob refused to let go. Throughout the night, he had come to understand who this person was. Please bless me, Jacob said, with tears streaming down his cheeks. 00:15:28 Speaker 8: I won't let you go and tell you bless me. 00:15:31 Speaker 1: A smile appeared on the man's face. He looked again at the orange shoes of the rising sun, and then back down at the poor fellow clinging to him. 00:15:43 Speaker 2: What is your name, Jacob? 00:15:48 Speaker 1: The man shook his head and placed a hand on Jacob's shoulder. 00:15:53 Speaker 2: Your name shall no longer be Jacob. It shall be called Israel, for you have struggled with God and prevailed. 00:16:02 Speaker 1: Jacob looked up and slowly released his grip, and what is your name? The man wiped the sweat and dirt off his brow and chuckled. 00:16:13 Speaker 2: Now, why would you ask me for my name? 00:16:15 Speaker 1: He extended his hand to help Jacob on to his feet. He blessed him, and then vanished to where he came from. Jacob limped back up the hill's edge and looked down at Esau's camp. Four hundred torches flickered against the silhouetted mountain range. The earliest signs of dawn peeped over the hills, gently kissing Jacob's face. It was time to face his brother. He drew a deep breath and limped down to meet Esau, Leah, Rachel, and the cheer children joined him. They marched together, a family built on lies, deception, disguises, and stolen promises. But perhaps maybe God would go before them, Perhaps God would move the heart of Esau to show mercy. Jacob's hip ached, but he quickened his pace toward his brother. Esau quickened his pace. He was still large. His muscular frame shook the ground as he ran. Jacob fell to his face and bowed in contrition. 00:17:46 Speaker 7: Forgive me, brother, have mercy on me. He looked up. 00:17:51 Speaker 1: Esau didn't soften his footsteps. He continued to run with determined force. Then, to Jacob's dismay, may Esau slid into the dirt and wrapped his brother. 00:18:05 Speaker 7: In his arms. I've missed you, brother. 00:18:09 Speaker 1: Esau's hairy arms squeezed the breath out of Jacob. 00:18:13 Speaker 2: You you what. 00:18:15 Speaker 1: Jacob couldn't help but laugh. Under the crushing weight of his older brother. He returned his brother's embrace. For years, he'd held the weight of his guilt for what he did to Esau. Jacob cherished his birthright and blessing, but he knew he cheated to get it. But now that he had wrestled with God. He was a changed man. Tears rolled down Jacob's face. The two of them wept in each other's arms for a long while, content to let sobs fill the silence. Esaw held Jacob's shoulders and looked him. 00:19:00 Speaker 2: Up and down. 00:19:01 Speaker 7: You've fuddally grown a beard. 00:19:05 Speaker 1: They laughed and wiped their faces. Esau looked behind Jacob's shoulders. Leah and Rachel stood a few paces away, with their children behind them. 00:19:17 Speaker 7: Who it is with you. 00:19:18 Speaker 2: My family? 00:19:19 Speaker 1: Jacob jestered for them to all come. 00:19:21 Speaker 2: Over, These are my children. God has been gracious to me. 00:19:26 Speaker 1: Everyone came forward and bowed to Esau. 00:19:29 Speaker 7: What the meaning of all these gifts? Jacob? 00:19:32 Speaker 2: To find favor in your sight? 00:19:33 Speaker 7: Brother, I have enough keep it no. 00:19:37 Speaker 8: Seeing your face is like seeing the face of God. 00:19:42 Speaker 2: You've accepted me when you could have killed me. 00:19:45 Speaker 7: Accept my blessing. 00:19:47 Speaker 1: Behind them were Jacob's servants carrying more goods and gifts for Esau. Those were the words that Jacob needed to say and Esau needed to here. Jacob needed to give a blessing and Esau needed to receive one. 00:20:09 Speaker 7: It was a beautiful. 00:20:10 Speaker 1: Moment of redemption, one that would have never been possible if Esau hadn't quieted. 00:20:18 Speaker 2: His need for revenge, an. 00:20:21 Speaker 1: Eye for an eye would have given him a moment of satisfaction, but robbed him of the joy. 00:20:29 Speaker 2: He had with his brother. 00:20:39 Speaker 6: You've heard that it was said eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I tell you do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your father in heaven. He causes his son to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Pagans do that be perfect. Therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect, Jesus teaches us to move beyond the old principle of retribution and embrace a new ethic of radical love and forgiveness. He calls us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and strive for perfection in love, as our heavenly Father as perfect. This teaching challenges us to reflect God's unconditional love and grace in our relationships with others, even those who wrong us. The story of Esau forgiving Jacob provides a powerful example of this radical love and forgiveness. Jacob deceived his father Isaac and stole Esau's blessing, causing immense hurt and anger. Esau's initial reaction was one of rage, and he vowed to kill Jacob. Jacob fled and lived in fear of his brother's revenge for many years. In Genesis chapter thirty three, verses one through eleven, we see their reunion, Esau forgives his brother and embraces him. Esau's response to Jacob's return was unexpected and deeply moving. Instead of seeking revenge, he ran to meet Jacob embraced him and wept. This act of forgiveness and reconciliation healed the rift between them and restored their relationship. Esau's forgiveness of Jacob restored their relationship and brought healing. Forgiveness has the power to mend broken relationships and bring about reconciliation. Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. By forgiving those who wrong us, we reflect God's unconditional love and grace. Esau's forgiveness mirrors the grace that God extends to us. Jesus teaches us to break the cycle of retribution by turning the other cheek and going the extra mile. Esau's decision to forgive Jacob rather than seek revenge, broke the cycle of hatred and violence. Forgiveness is a vital aspect of our spiritual growth. It challenges us to let go of bitterness and anger, allowing us to grow and love and compassion. Esau's forgiveness demonstrated his spiritual maturity and willingness to move beyond past earths. Now, how do we live out these principles in our lives? First, we can practice forgiving freely. We are called to forgive those who wrong us, just as Esau forgave Jacob. This requires letting go of grudges and embracing the spirit of reconciliation. Secondly, we can love unconditionally. Jesus challenges us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. By doing so, we reflect God's love and grace, showing that we are His children. Third we can seek reconciliation. Just as Jacob sought reconciliation with Esau, we should strive to heal broken relationships and seek peace with others. This involves humility, repentance, and a willingness to make amends. As we reflect on Jesus's words in Matthew Chapter five Versus thirty eight through forty eight, and the story of Esau forgiving Jacob, let us be reminded of the transformative power of forgiveness. May we strive to love our enemies, seek reconciliation, and reflect God's unconditional love and grace in our lives. Let us pray for the strength and wisdom to be true citizens of Heaven, living out the radical love and forgiveness that Jesus calls us to In our next story, we'll look at a love story tried and true. It's a story of devotion, commitment, and kindness.