I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Genesis 33-35.

I love the story of Esau and Jacob reuniting.  If ever there was a person with reason to hate his sibling and never want anything to do with them again, it was Esau.  However, when Esau saw his brother again after many years apart he ran to hug him.  Jacob for his part acknowledged by his actions that his brother had a legitimate grievance against him.  I want to point out that Esau did not forgive Jacob because of Jacob’s gifts.  A  careful reading of the Bible shows that Esau had set out with a small army while Jacob was meeting with Laban.  Yet Esau’s actions indicate he had not set out with the intention of bringing harm to Jacob.  Both brothers took action to reconcile their relationship.  Jacob gave Esau gifts as an acknowledgement that he owed Esau for what he had done to him.  Further, I think the rest of the story shows them negotiating their future relationship.  Esau offered for Jacob to come back and join his household but Jacob declined that invitation without rejecting his brother.