IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Like Seeing the Face of God

Date: Jul. 3, 2025

Passage

Genesis 33:1-20 (ESV)

And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

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.” Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.” But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. 11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” 13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. 14 Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”

15 So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. 17 But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

18 And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. 19 And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. 20 There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 33:11

Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

After all Jacob had done, to be welcomed by his brother Esau with a warm embrace and kiss was like seeing the face of God. Jacob was far from being the perfect brother or human being. He made many mistakes which he may have regretted. Esau did not hold that against him; rather he welcomed and loved his brother, whom he had not seen in such a long time. He was like the Father to his prodigal son (Lk 15:20). For Jacob, he had struggled with God but then received God’s blessing instead of being torn to pieces.

We may see God with fear of being judged and condemned for all the sins we have committed, but instead, God shows mercy and love. He sent his son Jesus to demonstrate his love that cleanses us of all our sin and allows us to live in his grace. From the point of grace, our lives become suddenly full of joy and love. We no longer feel the need to achieve something of significance, which only makes us more anxious and fearful. We have all we need in God’s love and grace, and we can share our heart freely with others.

Prayer: Lord, we sometimes come to you cautiously. May we experience your embrace and live in your grace.

One Word: God is gracious

Daily Bread

The Lord’s Favor Shields Me

Psalm 5:1-12

Key Verse: 5:12

  For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield.

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