Reconciliation
Sometimes doing the right thing can be scary.
Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, instructing them, ‘Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have lived with Laban as an alien, and stayed until now; and I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves; and I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, ‘We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.’ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies, thinking, ‘If Esau comes to one company and destroys it, then the company that is left will escape.’ - Genesis 32:3-8
Jacob had cheated his brother Esau, so when he heard that Esau was coming to him with four hundred men, he was scared. Who wouldn't be?
The tough part of reconciliation is making oneself vulnerable. We have to put ourselves out there to bring about a change and that could mean risking everything.
Esau was the rough and tumble brother, so Jacob had reason to be worried.
If you were going to reach out to someone known to be crazy or dangerous, or angry with you, you are taking a risk. All attempts at reconciliation are risky, some much more than others.
It is no wonder we avoid it like the plague. Who wants to stir up old issues, reminding everyone of the harm that was done in the past?
But Jesus told us to settle our debts with others before coming to the altar, so we should try to do that, as hard as it might be.
When you think of the worst that could happen, it could be pretty bad. Jacob was facing possible war with his brother, a war he would lose. So, the risks can be great, but the rewards can be even greater.
Two sides can build up armies to show each other how tough they are, but in the end, they must come to the table to work out a peace settlement or it is all in vain.
That's the way we should look at all conflict. Everything we do is preparing us for reconciliation and peace. So, why not get started?
More to come...