“A Man’s Gift Maketh Room for Him.” Proverbs 18:16
Have you ever read a scripture that you didn’t really understand? I have read this scripture many times, but when I read the story again of Jacob and Esau, I really got the meaning of God’s Word.
You know that Jacob by craftiness, took the blessing and birthright from Esau, his brother. Now, Jacob is on the run from his brother… staying as far away from him as he could. Esau becomes a “hunter,” and lives in the wild with a band of renegades and Jacob meets Laban, his uncle, and marries his oldest daughter, Leah, and then his youngest daughter, Rachael, and in addition, he fathered children by their handmaidens. He has a good job and a big family!!
Years have passed between the two brothers… And now, God has richly blessed Jacob with cattle and all kinds of livestock. Jacob is a rich man, wanting to take his wives, his children, his people, his cattle, etc., and go back to his homeland. But (there’s always, a “but”), but, he will have to go straight through the land where his brother and his army of followers are. Jacob is scared to death of seeing his brother, Esau face to face.
But, he has a “plan,” and we know that God gave him this plan. He gets hundreds of all his animals and sends them before him with his servants… he-goats, she-goats, camels, oxen, bulls, she-asses, etc. As his servants pass before him, they are to say, “this is a gift from thy servant, Jacob.” Jacob said, “I will appease him with the presents that go before me.” He sent all his wives, and children, and had them pass on before him and they were to bow when they came before him. It worked! When Esau saw his brother Jacob coming at the end of the train, the Bible says, “And Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him: and they wept.” Genesis 33:4
It’s always better to make your “enemy,” your friend. A soft answer turneth away wrath, and, “a man’s gift makes room for him.” Seriously. Why have an enemy if he can become your friend? God’s way is the best way!! Have a great day!
Sherry