December 1, 2010 – Peace Offering
Scripture: Genesis 32: 19-21
He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: “You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.”So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.
Devotion:
There is something about receiving a gift that puts one in a good frame of mind toward the giver. The Bible and, in fact, history, is full of examples of gifts being sent ahead to win favor with the receiver. The Advent and Christmas seasons are filled with songs, pictures, and thoughts of peace and in our war-torn time, our thoughts turn to peace as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Korea are constantly in the news.
What gifts do we send to win over an enemy? To win favor with a friend? To end a war? Do we dare offer ourselves as the peace offering or do we safely spend the night in the camp?
Our world cries for peace, Father. Yet, we seem intent on anything but peace. Still our warring hearts and heal the relationships that we so easily break. Help us to find the gifts to heal the hurts between brothers, sisters, friends, and even enemies. In the Name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.
