The Mighty and Good Shepherd

Genesis 33:4-5,12-14,18-20 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant”… Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.” But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.” After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.

What a blessed journey this has been for Jacob, a journey that took 20 years to complete filled with treachery, deception, labour for love, sincere hard work, fleeing from bondage and so much more.

Jacob’s faith is revealed when he credit’s God for his significant family and wealth and his changed heart shown when he insist that Esau accept his extravagant gifts as an offering of thanks for his warm reception.

What lingered as a question to me was why he did not simply go back with Esau to his homeland after all these many blessings?

Jacob was now a transformed man of God, one who received a great blessing, walked in obedience to his maker’s will and just received a great pardon.

He was careful not to accept Esau’s invite because he knew that Esau was not living in God’s ways and therefore while they had reconciled their differences, he did not want to jeopardize his faith or that of his family’s by living under the same roof as Esau.

Also, Jacob’s shepherd heart was revealed in his concern for his family and flocks which again shows a transformed heart from the deceiver that he was. Does it not paint a picture of Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, who gathers his young lamb in his arms and carries them?

Finally, what tent is is complete without an altar to God and that was exactly what Jacob did. It showed his gratefulness to God and was a clear message to his family that God was utmost in their lives.

When we receive God’s blessings, do we simply take it for granted and move on to our next rant or do we grow in faith by God’s deliverance?

Today God reminds us of what our attitude needs to be when we receive. We need to give back to God in faith and love and live a life that displays God’s glory.

In His Loving Service,
ServantBoy

Isaiah 40:11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.