"This is also a story about forgiveness and family reconciliation. “If I were to teach the principle of generosity in human relationships, how marvelous to share with people … the relationship of Jacob and Esau,” said Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Just as Jacob and Esau needed time apart, so might we occasionally need time to calm our feelings and reflect on the importance of our family relationships. Yet time and separation alone will not bring resolution. If we are prayerful, the Lord will help us know when the time is right for reconciliation, and we can follow the example of these brothers. How sweet that moment of sincere reconciliation can be! Our Savior will help us. He is the great Mediator, and He is able to soften hearts and heal wounds. He knows how to bring people to a unity of heart and mind. His example of marvelous generosity to us through His Atonement can help inspire forgiveness in our souls." (From the lds.org website.)
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We just read tonight about Jacob and Esau's reuniting. I had no idea this story existed. See how reading the scriptures can be?
Anyway, later in life, Jacob is commanded to go back to the land of his inheritance, and is scared because at one time Esau wanted to kill him. And when Jacob sent Esau a friendly note saying that he was returning, Esau sent a note saying that he was ready and waiting with 400 armed men. But when Jacob returned, he bowed 7 times to Esau as a show of respect, then Esau ran forward, hugged and kissed him, and wept.
What a happy ending! What a great book! A lot can be learned about this story, as demonstrated in the quote above. I'm glad the story of their relationship ended well. The Lord truly can soften hearts.
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3 comments:
It's nice to see that a crummy situation was able to be resolved in a good way. Sad thing, though, I think Esau's descendants were the Amorites. They were apostates. Sad day.
Well, just because they ended up being friends doesn't mean that Esau made good choices. I think he was still himself and made his own choices, but it's nice to see that brotherly love can happen despite differences.
That's a really good point. And I like that it shows how important it is to love our families (and other people, too, for that matter), regardless of the choices they make.
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