The Best Compliment Ever

If you remember the story of Jacob and Esau in the Bible, you probably remember they had a lot of sibling rivalry going. They were twin brothers, and Jacob was born hanging onto Esau's heel. Jacob was the younger brother and in their culture that meant Esau was entitled to the elder brother's portion and to his father's blessing. Jacob tricked his brother into selling his birthright for a bowl of stew and then tricked his father into giving him the blessing that should have been Esau's.

Esau was understandably a little upset. Their mother, Rebekah, sent Jacob off to a foreign land for a while to let Esau cool off. Jacob goes off, gets married, gains wealth and gets tricked himself (but that's another story). Jacob wants to return to his homeland but is a little worried about how Esau will react. He sends some of his flocks ahead as gifts to Esau, hoping to soften him up a bit.

As Jacob is getting close, he hears Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. About this time, Jacob starts to get a little worried. He starts to pray for God's protection. (Maybe he is getting a little wiser by now.) Esau receives Jacob with forgiveness and grace. He even tells Jacob he doesn't need the gifts of sheep and goats. Of course, he accepts them later since Jacob insists.

Then, Jacob gives Esau the best compliment. He says to Esau, "For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably." (Genesis 33:10) Jacob may not have been very wise, but he recognizes the God like characteristics of forgiveness, mercy, and grace when he sees them. When we forgive one another and let go of our anger (no matter how justified), we show the face of God to those we forgive.

The other day, I was definitely not showing my husband the face of God. It is a hard job to be the face of God to other people (especially husbands).

We have two main jobs in our relationships:
1. To be the face of God to others. (We are Christ's ambassadors.)
2. To see the face of God in others. (To value other people and see the good in them.)

These are both great anteaters.