Overwhelmed by Undeserved Grace

Genesis 33:1-11

Jacob Meets Esau

^33:1And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. ²And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. ³He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

⁴But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. ⁵And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” ⁶Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. ⁷Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. ⁸Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” ⁹But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” ¹⁰Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. ¹¹Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

(ESV)

Thought:
We have seen the fear of Jacob, also his resting in the promise that God is with him. But take note of his reaction to the grace of his brother.

Genesis 33:10

¹⁰Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.

(ESV)

It was not that his gifts had appeased his brother’s wrath, his brother didn’t even want the gifts. These brothers had been at each other’s necks when they were younger. Jacob wanted what was Esau’s and then Esau wanted what Jacob had. But now they have both been blessed by God.

Should Esau still be angry at Jacob? Well he has every right to be, so why does he forgive him? Simply because he is gracious, Jacob has done nothing to deserve it, but his brother shows him grace and it is like seeing the face of God.

Do you find yourself being so utterly overwhelmed by the grace of God, all that you have been forgiven? Sometimes there is great benefit in contemplating the quaking fear we would face before God if it were not his grace.

We have treated God horribly, just as Jacob did to Esau, and yet like Esau he shows us undeserved grace. Without grace we face a God from which nothing can be hidden, and from whom we cannot escape. It is a terrifying reality

But yet there is great comfort in knowing that…

Romans 5:1

Peace with God Through Faith

^5:1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(ESV)

You have peace with God simply by trusting in him to save you. You do not deserve it so you ought to be incredibly grateful that you have received it.

Reflection:
As I go about my day, I need to slow down and recognise just how much grace I’ve been shown. It’s easy to forget the weight of what I’ve been forgiven, but when I pause and think honestly, I realise how overwhelming God’s mercy truly is. Today I need to apply this by letting gratitude shape my attitude, my decisions, and the way I treat others. If God has met me with peace instead of wrath, then I can respond with humility and joy rather than fear or entitlement.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for meeting me with grace instead of judgment. Help me never take Your mercy for granted. Teach me to live with gratitude, humility, and peace, knowing that through Jesus I am forgiven and accepted. Amen.