Genesis 33:8-11
2009.May.01 17:00
Take My Herds… Please…
Read Genesis 33:8-11 | Full Chapter
Esau asked Jacob, "What did you mean by these herds I met along the road?" "Master," Jacob answered, "I sent them so that you would be friendly to me." "But, brother, I already have plenty," Esau replied. "Keep them for yourself." "No!" Jacob said. "Please accept these gifts as a sign of your friendship for me. When you welcomed me and I saw your face, it was like seeing the face of God. Please accept these gifts I brought to you. God has been good to me, and I have everything I need." Jacob kept insisting until Esau accepted the gifts.
(Genesis 33:8-11, CEV)
Perhaps, after I do my big character study on Lot, I’ll do a study on Esau as a type of Christ (Note the implied perhaps on the subordinate class as well). Try this on for size:
When I looked at you, Jesus, and saw the scars that evidenced your sacrifice for me, I looked into the face of Yahweh, and am reminded again of all the things he has done for me. I accept your mercy and the new life you’ve given me. Here, let me give you something in exchange. What? You mean it’s free? No, no, you must take this. And this! C’mon!
Or, one might take the illustration in a different direction and use it to discuss giving to those and need and to support the work of the Church. But, I want to discuss the first one, the need to feel we’re giving something to make us at least partially worthy of the grace we’ve received. In Ephesians, Paul writes:
He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]
While James points out that "Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!" (James 2:17, CEV) , it is just as essential to remember that works can never make us worthy of Yahweh’s grace. The question is not one of whether our works are enough, but whether we have faith enough and rejoice in our salvation enough that good works in return are inevitable, whether they come flowing forth.
Had Jacob decided not to bother with the offering the gift to Esau, it would have revealed insincerity in his gratefulness. If I do not perform righteous works, it would reveal to me that own faith is not real. Indeed, every failure on my own part to live up to Yahweh’s desires for me and standards are not marks of condemnation (now that I have received salvation through Christ), but rather reminders of my need for Yahweh’s grace, of the need for faith.
But there’s a point of going too far, of seeking salvation in my works rather than through grace/faith. It’s not clear what Jacob’s motivations are as he persists in offering his gift. Is he just so grateful? Is this just a normal diplomatic act? Or does he still not believe that Esau has really forgiven him?
If I am obsessing over my works, it begs the question of how strong is my faith.
