October 28
Getting Rid of Baggage
Bible in a Year :
Jeremiah 15-172 Timothy 2
Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him.
Genesis 33:4
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Genesis 33:1–11
In college, I studied William Shakespeare’s writing for a semester. The class required a giant textbook containing everything Shakespeare had ever written. The book weighed several pounds, and I had to carry it for hours at a time. Lugging that weight around caused my back to hurt, and it eventually broke a metal fastener on my bookbag!
Some things are just too heavy for us to carry. Emotional baggage from past hurt, for example, can weigh us down with bitterness and hatred. But God wants us to have freedom through forgiving people and, when possible, reconciling with them (Colossians 3:13). The deeper the pain, the longer this may take. That’s okay. It took many years for Esau to forgive Jacob for stealing his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27:36).
When the two finally reunited, Esau graciously forgave his brother and even “embraced him” (33:4). Not a word was exchanged before they both burst into tears. Over time, Esau had let go of the anger that made him consider murder (27:41). And all those years gave Jacob the chance to see the magnitude of how he’d harmed his brother. He was humble and respectful throughout the reunion (33:8-11).
In the end, both brothers came to the place where neither required anything from the other (vv. 9, 15). It was enough to forgive and be forgiven and walk away free from the heavy baggage of the past.
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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Reflect & Pray
What types of offenses are hardest for you to forgive? How does forgiving others reflect your relationship with your heavenly Father?
Dear God, please set me free from bitterness and anger.
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October 28
Getting Rid of Baggage
Bible in a Year :
Jeremiah 15-172 Timothy 2
Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him.
Genesis 33:4
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Genesis 33:1–11
In college, I studied William Shakespeare’s writing for a semester. The class required a giant textbook containing everything Shakespeare had ever written. The book weighed several pounds, and I had to carry it for hours at a time. Lugging that weight around caused my back to hurt, and it eventually broke a metal fastener on my bookbag!
Some things are just too heavy for us to carry. Emotional baggage from past hurt, for example, can weigh us down with bitterness and hatred. But God wants us to have freedom through forgiving people and, when possible, reconciling with them (Colossians 3:13). The deeper the pain, the longer this may take. That’s okay. It took many years for Esau to forgive Jacob for stealing his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27:36).
When the two finally reunited, Esau graciously forgave his brother and even “embraced him” (33:4). Not a word was exchanged before they both burst into tears. Over time, Esau had let go of the anger that made him consider murder (27:41). And all those years gave Jacob the chance to see the magnitude of how he’d harmed his brother. He was humble and respectful throughout the reunion (33:8-11).
In the end, both brothers came to the place where neither required anything from the other (vv. 9, 15). It was enough to forgive and be forgiven and walk away free from the heavy baggage of the past.
By: Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Sign in to track your progress!
Sign In
Reflect & Pray
What types of offenses are hardest for you to forgive? How does forgiving others reflect your relationship with your heavenly Father?
Dear God, please set me free from bitterness and anger.
comment
journal
share
give
Inspiration in Your Inbox
Sign Up For Emails
Our Daily Bread Ministries
PO Box 2222
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
(616) 974-2210
odb@odb.org
Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.
Language Options
Help
Volunteer
© 2024 Our Daily Bread Ministries
Rights and Permissions
Terms and Conditions
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Today's Scripture:
Genesis 33:1–11 (NIV)
Insight
Jacob and Esau were twins born to Isaac and Rebekah. Before their birth, God told Rebekah: “Two nations are in your womb . . . ; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23). From Esau’s line sprang the Edomites (36:9), enemies of the Israelites. From Jacob, the younger, sprang the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob convinced Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew (25:29-34) and tricked his father into giving him the firstborn’s blessing that was due to Esau (27:1-29). Although they had a rocky relationship, we read of their reunion and Esau’s forgiveness in today’s text (33:1-9).
By: Alyson Kieda
