Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Dec 3, 2006 0:40:06 GMT -8
How Good It Is
By Reuel D.
For Parashah Vayishlach (And He Sent)
By Reuel D.
For Parashah Vayishlach (And He Sent)
In parashah Vayishlach we see the uneasy reuniting of two brothers torn by adversity. We see this happen entirely too much in the body of Messiah. But, how good it is when brothers reunite and dwell together in unity! So many times we see that a brother feels like he has been supplanted and usurped by another as we see in Ya’akov’s (Jacob’s) case. Thus, the other brother (many times the older) seeks to destroy or subdue what he considers his rival and take what he believes is rightfully his. And, many times (as with the case of Ya’akov), the younger brother must flee such a one’s presence to avoid the rash behavior of the other. Sometimes this whole process is the will of God as He is working out his plan as we see in parashah Vayetze and moving into parashah Vayishlach.
How bitter and disappointing this is when two brothers part ways on rocky ground as we see with Ya’akov and Esav. How it grieves the family whom loves both as they are forced to make uneasy choices. But again, God is always working out His plan and many times He uses time to heal wounds. Ya’akov had been gone for over fourteen years…perhaps Esav had moved on…perhaps Esav had forgotten how Ya’akov had supplanted and usurped his older brother. But, is time alone the only ingredient to the recipe of reconciliation?…. Not quite…willing, humble, trusting, and loving hearts must also be tossed into the recipe for reconciliation. How bitter this recipe can be to many stomachs. How many choose to avoid cooking in the kitchen of reconciliation all together? But, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity?
“A Ma`alot Song. By David. See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, That ran down on the beard, Even Aharon's beard; That came down on the edge of his robes; Like the dew of Hermon, That comes down on the hills of Tziyon: For there YHVH gives the blessing, Even life forevermore.”
- Tehellim/Psalms 133:1-3
It took a humble, willing, loving, and trusting heart for Ya’akov to even consider reconciliation with his brother Esav as we see in the following passage…..
“Then Ya'akov said, "God of my father Avraham and God of my father Yitz'chak, YHVH, who told me, 'Return to your country and your kinsmen, and I will do you good': I'm not worthy of all the love and faithfulness you have shown your servant, since I crossed the Yarden with only my staff. But now I have become two camps. Please! Rescue me from my brother 'Esav! I'm afraid of him, afraid he'll come and attack me, without regard for mothers or children. You said, 'I will certainly do you good and make your descendants as numerous as the grains of sand by the sea, which are so many they can't be counted.'" - Beresheet (Gen.) 32:9-12
But, we see that it was not Esav that he had to trust…it was the God of His Father’s, Avraham and Yitzchak whom he had to trust for reconciliation. And, this is our example. It is not that we have to trust the individual with whom we seek reconciliation before we decide to seek reconciliation…it is God whom we must trust will take care of us…trusting Him for the restoring our relationships. He will do us good as we seek His face and are obedient to His voice. And, when brothers do this…how good it is!
Shavua tov chaverim!
Reuel
