Monday, March 18



Esau went running to meet him, and he began to embrace him and fall upon his neck and kiss him.—Gen. 33:4.


Jacob had already taken the most important measure he could take to soften the heart of his brother. He had prayed to Jehovah
for deliverance from Esau’s hand. Did Jehovah answer this prayer? Yes. (Gen. 32:11-20; 33:1-3) The account of Jacob and
Esau shows that we should make earnest and practical efforts to settle matters when problems arise that may threaten the peace
we enjoy within the Christian congregation. Jacob sought to make peace with Esau, but not because Jacob had erred against
his brother and owed him an apology.

No, Esau had despised his birthright and had sold it to Jacob for a bowl of stew. (Gen.25:31-34; Heb. 12:16) However,

the way Jacob approached Esau illustrates the extent to which we should be willing to go to preserve the peace with our Christian
brothers. It also shows that the true God blesses our prayerful efforts to make peace.

w11 8/153:2, 3
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