THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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The minister of music rushed into the new pastor's office. He began to complain about the minister of education. The string of complaints was long. The new pastor called for a halt until the minister of education could come and answer for the complaints.
Once he was in the office, the pastor told the minister of music to continue his complaints. He refused. The pastor sensed a long-term disagreement between the two. So he said, "All right, you two step out in the hall and talk this out. If you can't reach an agreement in 5 minutes, I'll have to let one of you go."
Five minutes later, they were back - both smiling.
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Gen 33:1-4
1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.
2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
KJV
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When Jacob saw Essau coming, he divided his family even further into groups. Then he went before them himself.
Jacob personally demonstrated Eph. 5:25 which says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also love the church, and GAVE Himself for it."
Notice also the demonstration of humility in Jacob (vs 3). He bowed in deference to his brother Essau. It's an old saying but it's true: "The arrow flies over the head of the man who kneels."
Essau had come a long way to meet Jacob. He had also come with 400 men. But now his heart was softened. God has the hearts of all men in His hand, and can change attitudes in a moment!
I'm sure the words of Isaac came back to Essau, "...and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck."
(Gen. 27:40).
Now that Essau had the "dominion" over Jacob, he broke the "yoke" of servitude by giving LOVE instead of hatred!
There is a good thing to remember here: hatred, grudgery, etc. can be broken by GIVING LOVE.
Love ya,
Bruce