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The Path to Peace

Words of Faith Final

The Path to Peace
Words of Faith 6-14-2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2022
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Genesis 32
[13] He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: [14] two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, [15] thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. [16] He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, "Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds."
[17] He instructed the one in the lead: "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?' [18] then you are to say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.' "
[19] He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: "You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. [20] And be sure to say, 'Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.' " For he thought, "I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me." [21] So Jacob's gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

Twenty years away from home had taught Jacob many things. One was that he did not want to be estranged from his brother, Esau. But the old wounds and conflict could no longer be avoided. Moving back to Canaan required reconciliation.
Jacob had learned a great deal of humility during 20 years. Before, in the rivalry with his brother, Jacob had always been "right." God had established this when the two were babies in the womb. God had declared these two nations and two peoples from within would be separated; one people would be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger (Genesis 25:23).
Jacob had been "right" even if his methods were tricky and lacked faith at that time. But now, being "right" didn't seem very important anymore. Peace seemed to be the essential thing. These clans had to begin getting along. Being reconciled was more critical if Jacob was going to fulfill the call upon his life to start a great nation in Canaan. There was no way to avoid dealing with Esau.
After prayer and making contact with messengers, Jacob prepared to offer gifts to Esau. Jacob prepared to appease his brother's anger in the hope that he would receive him. This was more than just a bribe to pacify an angry opponent. Jacob wanted desperately to communicate the significant change that the Lord had made in his life.
Jacob gave careful instructions regarding what was to be communicated to Esau about the large gift of animals at the front of the caravan. "They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us." Jacob was coming as a servant, not as an enemy. Jacob was coming in humility to Esau, not to conflict or compete with him. Jacob was coming to give, not to take.
How does one reconcile a twenty-year-old conflict? How does one heal angry wounds that have been there a long time? There are no guarantees in such situations, but Jacob shows us a great deal of what is needed.
1) Prayer. Jacob bathed the hurt of this relationship in prayer.
2) Contact. Silence only deepens the hurt. Jacob first sent messengers and then a message at the front.
3) Give. Jacob gave a generous gift to show his heart.
4) Humility. Jacob came as a servant. He was not interested in rehashing the past conflicts or establishing who was "right." He came hoping to establish peace with his brother.
Do you have an old wound or a broken relationship with someone? There are no guarantees, but this is a good model. Pray. Make contact. Give. Approach in humility.

Father, show me how to be a minister of reconciliation. I know there are no guarantees, but Your love gives me hope. Guide me into the paths of peace. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2022 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.