1. Reconciling Broken
Relationships
Jacob & Esau
Genesis 25-33

2. Jacob & Esau
• Miracle sons of Isaac and Rebekah
• Brothers who struggle in the womb 25:22
• Esau firstborn hunter & pride of his
father
• Jacob the younger & pride of his mother
• Prophetic promise 25:22-23

3. “Look, I’m dying of hunger, what good are those rights to
me?” said Esau. Jacob replied, “First promise me with an
oath that you are selling me your rights”. 25:29-34

4. The Blessing (Gen:26)
Govert Teunisz (1615-1660)

5. The Injury
• Premeditated deceit 27:6-10
• Dishonesty 27:11-16
• Betrayal of trust - mother of son & son of
father 27:17-24
• The blessing for Jacob 27:28-29
• The curse for Esau 27:39-40

6. The Withdrawal
• Esau, “When my father dies I will kill Jacob”
• Jacob, “I will flee to my uncle Laban in
Haran”
• Brothers become bitter enemies

7. Self-Awareness
• God tells Jacob to return home 31:3
• Jacob acknowledges his fear 32:11
• Jacob seeks to placate his brother 32:13ff

8. Jacob Wrestles with God
Gen.32:22-30

9. Commitment to
Reconciliation
• “I have seen the face of God” 32:30
• My perspective is neither the right one
nor the only one
• Positions - Jacob’s and Esau’s - versus
Interests
• Practicing the way of the Kingdom

10. Act of Risk
• Jacob bows to Esau seven times 33:3
• Esau runs to embrace Jacob 33:4
• Relationship restored
• Everyone’s a winner!

11. Jacob & Esau Meet
Francesco Hayez, 1844

12. Circle of Reconciliation

13. In groups take the ‘Circle of
Reconciliation’ model and illustrate it
from the redemptive work of Jesus
through the cross.

14. RECONCILIATION

15. All have sinned and fallen
short of the glory of God.
The hatred which divides nation
from nation, race from race,
class from class,
Father Forgive.
The covetous desires of people
and nations to possess what is
not their own,
Father Forgive.
The greed which exploits the
work of human hands and lays
waste the earth,
Father Forgive.

16. Our envy of the welfare and
happiness of others,
Father Forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of
the imprisoned, the homeless,
the refugee,
Father Forgive.
The lust which dishonours the
bodies of men, women and
children,
Father Forgive.
The pride which leads us to
trust in ourselves and not in
God,
Father Forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-
hearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.