Through the Bible in one year - Day 37

Psalm 36:9-11

For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,

and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Here at last we have the long awaited reunion:

But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, "Who are these with you?" Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant." (Genesis 33 4-5)

We find Jacob and Esau speaking kindly toward one another; this is indeed a grace-filled encounter. Nothing that has happened between the two prior to this could have prepared us for this outcome. Jacob is quick to give God the credit, and repeatedly humbles himself toward his brother; it certainly hasn’t been how he behaved in the past but it is useful in this reunion.

Did anyone else notice that Jacob settles in Shechem, and then in 2 Chronicles, when Rehoboam is in Shechem there is trouble for him? So, here is this place where Jacob and Esau dealt kindly and humbly with each other we have Rehoboam being harsh and cruel to his people. There is a striking contrast to their behaviors.

This chapter ends:

So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. (2 Chronicles 10:19)

It is fitting, then that the 2^nd chapter of the book of Acts addresses this separation by harkening back to the prophecies about David and how they are fulfilled in Jesus. And here at the end of this reading we see what can be in the power of the Lord and his Holy Spirit – as opposed to what comes about through our own actions.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. (Acts 2:42-43)

Today’s readings: Psalm 36, Genesis 33, 2 Chronicles 10, Acts 2