The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-08-24


GOLDEN TExT-Let us therefore fol-
low after The things which make for peace.
Romans 14:19.
Eventually a mans past catches
up with him and he must face his
own record. The Bible says, BE
sure your sin will find you OUT
(Num. 1929, and it always does.
Jacob, who had tricked and de-
ceived his brother and had fled into
a far country, ultimately had to re-
turn to his homeland and face Esau.
The story Of what happened makes
up our dramatic and instructive les
son.
Before Jacob could be permitted
to enter the Promised Land Of his
father, he had to meet God. He
needed thoroughgoing transforma-
ton of life and attitude, and he re-
ceived it as he wrestled with God
at Pencil Gen. 32).
Ultimately the stubborn man had
to yield, and then he found that 1t
was God who had come to give him
great blessing. How often do we
fight against the goodness and mer-
cy of God. Yielding brings bless
ing; Jacob "the supplanter" became
Israel "prince with God" He was
now ready for
/. Reconciliation wv. 1-T.
| After living for 20 years in horror
of meeting Esau, Jacob now learned
| that his brother was coming against
! him with an army. He resorted to
clever strategy, but this time it was
done not in sly crookedness, but in
an open friendly effort to win his
| brothers good will.
| There is nothing wrong about the
use Of tactful approach, and it
really worked for Jacob. His cour-
tesy was shown by his seven bows.
His bravery appeared in going out
first. His conciliatory attitude
showed in his rich gift to his brother.
| Then came a surprise. Esau
proved to be loving brother rather
than hated enemy. Blood does
count, and men do well to respond
| to the promptings of their hearts to
be affectionate toward their breth-
rem.
| Note Jacobs pride in presenting
his family. God had blessed him
and he rejoiced in his fine children.
The scene is typically Oriental, but
it shows an attitude toward ones
| family which we could well emulate.
| Next, a very practical note en-
tered into the reconciliation of the
brethren, namely:
| III. Restitution wv. 8-11).
The gift which Jacob had prepared
for Esau was in the Oriental tradi-
ton, and yet 1t bore also the ma
ture OF restoration of something Of
that which Jacob had taken from
Esau in defrauding him Of his birth
right.
| There Is place for proper resti-
tuition In every case where we have
wronged another by taking his pos
sessions or destroying his opportu-
mites to prosper. Becoming a
Christian is a forgetting of those
things which are behind (Phil. 3:13)
In spiritual sense, but not in the ig-
noring Of our obligations to others.
What we can make right we must
make right If we want Gods bless
ing.
Esau was generous and did not
want the gift, but since it would have
been an affront to his brother to
refuse, he accepted it. There are
proprieties in life and little courte-
sizes to be observed. Failure at this
point has created much friction even
between believers. Being Christian
should make one gentlemanly and
ladylike. Let's remember that
Then, too, Jacob was wise In put
ting Esau under the friendly obliga-
ton which Is inherent in the accept.
ance Of gift. Those who are stingy
and close-fisted about giving to 9TH
ers often find that their lack Of gen.
crosby has reflected in their lack OF
friends.
The time has come for the BROTH
ers to part, and we find Jacob fall
ing into his old trickery as he pre-
pares to
| III. Return (vv. 1920.
| 4ue pOrtlOu between verses IL ana
II indicate that instead Of going on
In straightforward dealings with
Esau, Jacob resorts to evasion in
order to be free to 60 where ne
would in his return to his fatherland.
Instead Of going back to Bethel
the place Of blessing (Gen. 28), to
which Jacob had been called (Gen.
S1:11-13), he went to Succoth and
ultimately to the outskirts Of Shech-
EN- where his family fell into great
sin. Ultimately, God did get him
back to Bethel (Gen. 35), but only
after much sorrow and suffering.
Jacob was called to live the life
Of shepherd out in the fields with
God, and when he pitched his tent
near Shechem he compromised and
lost out.
The incident pictures the tragic re-
suit Of such folly in our day. Those
who will not move over into the
worldly life want to be close enough