Genesis 33:1-20 - Exposition

Jacob and Esau, or the brothers reconciled.

I. THE MEETING OF THE BROTHERS .

1. The approach of Esau .

2. The advance of Jacob .

3. The reconciliation of both . The conflict of emotions in the breast of Esau was brought to a decision by the sight of Jacob, which at once cast the balance on the side of fraternal affection. Old memories of boyhood and home revived in the bosom of the stalwart hunter as he looked on his twin-brother, and, under the impulse of generous and noble feeling, he ran and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him. Nor was the heart of Jacob less susceptible of such tender emotion. Reciprocating his manly brother's embrace, he too yielded to a rush of kindly sentiment, and they both wept. What a study for a painter! Cf. Jonathan and David ( 1 Samuel 20:41 ), and the prodigal and his father ( Luke 15:20 ).

II. THE CONVERSE OF THE BROTHERS .

1. Esau's inquiries and Jacob's answers .

2. Esau ' s invitations and, Jacob's promise . It appears most satisfactory to understand Esau as soliciting his brother to accompany him to Seir, where for the time he was residing, and Jacob as engaging to drive on slowly after the roving chieftain, according as the tender age of his children and the condition of his flocks and herds would admit, with the view of ultimately paying him a visit in his mountain home; but whether he fulfilled that promise now or afterwards, or at all, cannot be ascertained. If he did not, we may rest satisfied that he had good reasons for breaking his word, which, alas, promise-breakers seldom have.

3. Esau ' s offer and Jacob ' s declinature . Esau anxiously desires to leave a convoy of his troopers to assist his brother in the further prosecution of his journey; but Jacob with respectful firmness refused to accept of his kindness—perhaps because, being a man of peace, he did not care for the society of soldiers, but chiefly, we apprehend, because, having Jehovah as a guide, he did not need the help of roving buccaneers (cf. Ezra 8:22 ).

III. THE PARTING OF THE BROTHERS .

1. Esau returned unto Mount Seir .

2. Jacob journeyed to Succoth, where he built himself a house, constructed booths for his cattle, and remained a considerable time, afterwards moving up to Shechem, where he

See here—

1. The strength of fraternal affection.

2. The beauty of forgiveness and reconciliation.

3. The possibility of combining politeness and piety.

4. The power of kindness in disarming enmity and opposition.

5. The advantage of conference for promoting good understanding and exciting kindly feeling.

6. The tender care which the strong should exercise towards the weak.

7. The sad partings which Providence effects between friends.

8. The propriety of taking God with us on all our journeys.

9. The duty of affectionately remembering God's mercies.