After Jacob basically stole Esau’s blessing, Esau was furious and plotted to kill Jacob once their father had died. However, Rebekah heard of his plans and warned Jacob of the impending danger. Esau, although he may have been somewhat justified in his anger, overreacted to Jacob’s deceit. The rift was deep, and led to Esau’s plot to exact revenge upon his tricky brother.
Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother Laban in Padan Aram. She intended for Jacob to take a wife from among her relatives. It was also a reasonable excuse to send Jacob away for his safety. Abraham gave him another blessing as he left and released him to go to their family in order to find a wife.
Esau noticed that Isaac blessed Jacob when he sent him away to Laban. He also heard Rebekah say that she did not want her son to take a wife from among the women of Canaan. So he went to Ishmael’s family and took a wife in order to win his father and mother’s favor. He felt that Jacob had what he wanted, so he made an effort to retry, at least in the area of choosing a wife.
Families should not trick one another, and when they do, there should not be an attempt at revenge. When we stop being reactive, and put God first and selfish ambition is stopped, God can heal a family. It took years for Esau and Jacob to be reconciled, but in time, because both men sought God, the reconciliation happened. Get close to God and begin to build bridges back home!
Devoted To You 