Story 16 · Ages 6–12
Jacob and Esau Reunite - Forgiveness and Reconciliation
After many years, Jacob returns home and is reunited with his brother Esau in forgiveness.
Many years passed since Jacob ran away from home. Jacob got married (actually he married two sisters, Leah and Rachel!), had twelve sons and one daughter, and became very wealthy with many animals and servants. But Jacob had never stopped thinking about his brother Esau. Would Esau still be angry? Would he want revenge?
The story
God told Jacob it was time to go back home. Jacob was scared! He sent messengers ahead to find Esau. When the messengers came back, they had frightening news: "Esau is coming to meet you - and he has 400 men with him!"
Jacob was terrified! He thought, "Esau is coming with an army to attack me!" Jacob prayed desperately: "O God, please save me from my brother Esau! I'm afraid he will come and attack us!"
Jacob came up with a plan. He divided his family and animals into two groups, thinking, "If Esau attacks one group, maybe the other can escape!" He also sent gifts ahead - hundreds of goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys - hoping to make Esau happy.
The night before meeting Esau, something mysterious happened! Jacob sent his family across the river, but he stayed behind alone. Suddenly, a man appeared and wrestled with Jacob all night long! They struggled and struggled, from darkness until dawn.
When the man saw he couldn't overpower Jacob, he touched Jacob's hip and it was injured. But Jacob held on! He said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me!"
The man asked, "What is your name?"
"Jacob," he answered.
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome!"
Jacob realized he had been wrestling with God Himself! God had changed Jacob's name to Israel, which means "he struggles with God." God was making Jacob into a new person!
The next morning, Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men! Jacob bravely went ahead of his family, limping from his injured hip. As he approached Esau, he bowed down to the ground seven times.
But then something wonderful happened! Esau RAN to Jacob! He threw his arms around his neck and kissed him! And both brothers cried!
Esau wasn't angry anymore! He had forgiven Jacob! Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have!"
But Jacob insisted, "Please accept this gift from me. Seeing your face is like seeing the face of God, because you have received me so kindly!"
The brothers were reunited! What Jacob feared the most didn't happen. Instead, there was forgiveness, love, and a new beginning!
Remember this
“And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.”
What did we learn?
This story teaches us that God can change hearts - both ours and the people we're afraid of. When we've done wrong, we should make things right. And when someone asks for forgiveness, we should forgive them, just like Esau forgave Jacob!