“Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, ‘Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth.’ And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before” (31:1-2). A story of estrangement and reconciliation. Things were so bad that Jacob had to flee with his family and all his property. The Lord intervened, and a covenant was made between Jacob and Laban. Together “they ate bread and spent the night in the hill country. Early in the morning Laban arose and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned home” (31:54-55). Departing from Laban, Jacob and his entourage approached the lands where his brother, Esau, lived. Jacob had sent messengers before him. They returned, and remembering how he had deceived Esau out of his birthright, Jacob was fearful of what he might be getting into: “‘We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him’ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed” (32:6-7). Jacob need not have feared for, upon seeing him, “Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (33:4). I know, and have known, families divided by animosity, jealousy, and all sorts of things. But I have also known families that, even with long seasons of estrangement, have experience forgiveness and reconciliation. God is able to do that! When he penned the psalm, perhaps David was remembering a time of reconciliation with Abner. For our verses, this morning, hear David:
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore” (Psalm 133).
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