Jacob had reached a point here he could not move ahead in
life without turning back to face his brother.
For him there was no choice. I
see this point in Jacob’s life much like that of the Prodigal Son when he
finally faces the reality that he must return home if his life is to move
ahead. This may seem strange on the
surface as Jacob seemed to be is a very different situation from the Prodigal
Son. Prodigal Son had physically hit
bottom. He had wasted his inheritance on
wine, women, and song. He was reduced to
hoping he could eat the leftovers from those he served – the swine. Jacob on the other hand seemed to have it
all. He had wives and children; servants
and flocks. Seemingly all anyone could
ask for – the very picture of success.
However, he too knew he must repent of his past and face the
consequences if he was to move forward.
He had hit spiritual rock bottom rather than the material one.
Both the Prodigal Son and Jacob prepare for the day of
reckoning. However, there is a
significant difference in their preparation.
The Prodigal Son has nothing material to give. He can only offer that
which he has. He plans to throw himself
– mind, body and spirit on the mercy of his father and beg for
forgiveness. Jacob having much
materially plans to use that material wealth to try and gain Esau’s
forgiveness. Or at least what limited forgiveness he can hope for. In this Jacob seems less noble than Prodigal
Son. There is a holding back which has the
taint of bribery. However, there is a
noble aspect in Jacob’s effort as Jacob knows that he is putting himself in the
hands of the one who he wronged and may very well not survive. However, Jacob seems to be depending on his
material possessions rather than the giving all that he has.
There is a happy ending for both Jacob and the Prodigal
Son. Forgiveness breaks through as a
blessing from God. Blessings are always
unerned and no less so in these cases.
The power of God’s love that can bring about reconciliation to the
brokenness of our lives is God’s greatest gift to his children.
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