Epistles to the Cyberchurch - Su Min

To: en & more
From: Su Min
Subject: Genesis 33

Hi,

Grace and peace to you, to you near and far, from Singapore, Thailand and England:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 4-7).

Today we join Jacob in Genesis 33:1 as he looks up to see his brother Esau approaching with a band of 400 men. Placing his family in a long line, arranged in priority, cannon fodder in front, Rachel and Joseph in the rear, clustered in groups so that perchance they are attacked at least half the family should be able to escape.

Bravely but probably in fear and trepidation, Jacob goes on ahead of his family and mindful off how he has cheated Esau, grovels, bows and scrapes, kow-towing seven times (vs 3). If we see that Jacob is a rich wealthy man, this humility must be even more spectacular.

Does Esau wail and gnash his teeth in anger? No, Esau ran to meet Jacob and embrace him, and kiss him, and wept. What a picture of reconciliation! When enquired of the family, Jacob, still filled with humility, refers to himself as Esau's servant (vs 5).

The family all pay homage to big brother Esau. (vs 6&7)

In a time of intimate sharing, Jacob presses Esau to receive the gifts (8-11) and encourages Esau to depart, leaving Jacob time to refresh his herd and family before moving on. Finally Jacob arrives at Sechem (vs 18) where he buys a plot of land (more legal titles to the land of milk and honey) and sets up an altar called El Elohe Israel (God, the God of Israel or Mighty is the God of Israel)

Let us close in prayer with Psalm 84, enjoying the richness of the Amplified Bible:

  1. How lovely are your tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!
  2. My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.
  3. Yes the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young- even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
  4. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
  5. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
  6. Passing though the Valley of Weeping (Baca) they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings.
  7. They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.
  8. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
  9. Behold our shield [the king as Your agent], O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed!
  10. For a day in your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the thresholds in the house of my God than to dwell [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.
  11. For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favour and [future] glory (honour, splendour, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
  12. O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]!
Love dad

For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min


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