E′sau ran to meet him, and he embraced him and kissed him, and they burst into tears.
When Esau last saw Jacob, he had plans to kill him (Gen. 27:41).
20 Years later, as described in the above passage, his heart has been softened.
He has taken on a more spiritual approach to life.
This teaches me that people can change for the better.
It is wrong to give up hope on someone without giving them time to reflect on their own actions and see the negative consequences of their bad decisions.
Usually it’s those closest to us that let us down. A family member or a best friend who was like a sister or brother.
God doesn’t give up on people from one moment to the next. He patiently waits for them to repent (2 Pet. 3:9).
And if we want to truly change, then it is imperative to ‘clothe ourselves in humility,’ as in the case of Esau (Col. 3:12).
I had never taken this passage into account.
According to a Bible encyclopedia, Deborah lived for about another 125 years after Rebekah and Isaac married (it-1 p. 600).
She had left everything behind to accompany Rebekah south into a new family and new lifestyle, for Isaac’s household dwelt in tents.
In all this time she became a part of their family and they were moved to heartfelt grief upon her death.
I am touched by the inclusion of this small but telling detail in the Holy Scriptures.
In a book that selectively lists ancestries and important dates to provide historical proof and context, the fact that God included this about Deborah, a humble servant, tells us how much he values the lives of those who render sacred service toward Him (Matt. 10:29-31).
Bible Reading Highlights 