Jacob and Esau: The Hug of Forgiveness

The sun was already up. Jacob had spent a very special night beside the river.

He had received a blessing and a new name: Israel.

Now he walked slowly, leaning on his staff. His hip still hurt.

The birds sang as the morning began.

Soon he would see his brother Esau again.

Jacob looked up. In the distance, he saw Esau coming with many men.

Jacob remembered what had happened years before. He had tricked his father into giving him the blessing his brother had been expecting.

Esau had become very angry. That was why Jacob had left home.

Now he wanted to approach his brother with respect and make peace.

How would his brother welcome him?

Jacob gathered his family. Leah, Rachel, the other women, and the children stood in groups behind him.

The little ones stayed close to their mothers.

Jacob went ahead of everyone. He did not send his family forward first.

He moved along the path, step by step.

When he came closer, Jacob bowed low to the ground.

Then he took a few steps and bowed again.

He did this seven times as he approached Esau.

It was a way of showing respect. Jacob wanted his brother to know that he had not come to fight.

Esau saw him.

There was Jacob!

His brother had come back after so many years.

Then something happened that Jacob had not expected.

Esau ran toward him.

His feet kicked up a little dust along the path.

When he reached Jacob, he wrapped his arms around him.

He gave him a great big hug!

He kissed him, too.

Jacob hugged Esau. Both brothers cried.

These were not tears of anger. After so much time apart, they were finally together again.

Esau's hug showed Jacob that his brother was welcoming him with love.

They were no longer facing each other to fight.

They were holding each other like brothers.

Esau looked behind Jacob. There were the women and the children.

He wanted to know who they were.

Jacob told him that these were the children God had given him.

His family came closer, slowly.

The mothers and children greeted Esau with respect. Leah came with her children, and then Rachel and Joseph approached.

Esau had so many people to meet!

His brother had returned with a big family.

Esau had also seen the animals Jacob had sent ahead.

There were sheep, goats, and other animals.

Jacob explained that they were a gift for him. He wanted to show that he was seeking peace.

But Esau said that he already had enough and that Jacob could keep his animals.

Jacob gently asked him again.

“God has been very good to me. Please, accept my gift.”

Esau accepted his brother's gift.

Jacob had arrived feeling worried. He had not known whether Esau was still angry.

Now he had received something much more wonderful than an answer: a hug.

The hurt from before had been real. But that day, Esau opened his arms to welcome his brother.

That was how he showed his forgiveness.

Jacob and Esau could treat each other with love again.

The two brothers were together once more.

And this time, there was peace between them.