Some divisions are so deep that someone must do everything in their power to bring about restoration and redemption. Without making that first move, the restoration God intends to happen cannot take place.

When Jacob stole Esau’s birthright, it created a deep division between them. The division was so intense that Jacob had to run away to continue living. After years of separation, Jacob sent a messenger to Esau to inform him that he was returning home.

“After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported,’We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” (32:6). Esau was motivated by revenge. Jacob offered gifts of peace with the hope of reconciliation.

After spreading out some of his animals and possessions as gifts to his brother Esau, Jacob instructed his attending servants to tell Esau that the gifts were for him. Jacob’s family and children followed one by one in a long stream before him, with Jacob arriving last, where he would finally meet Esau face-to-face.

“As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. Jacob’s gifts and his attempt at reconciliation were too much for Esau. “Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept” (33:3-4).

Jacob and his family, along with their livestock, were tired from their long journey and would have to pass through dangerous territory on their way back home. Esau went ahead of Jacob’s entourage and said to Jacob, “Let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you” (vs. 15). The very men who had been on their way to destroy Jacob now became his protector.

Some disagreements and the causes of our division can only be brought to a peaceful conclusion if we are willing to offer something greater than what divides us. These actions can turn the tables on the devil and cause both parties to embrace as a witness to the power of Jesus Christ to restore what seemed impossible to restore.

I’ve had people disagree with me to such an extent that they became my Esau. When I found out about what they were saying about me, I did what Jacob did – I sent them gifts. I spoke well of them. In some cases, I even supported their ministry with a financial gift. I did this while they continued to badmouth me, some even making threats against me against fellow believers.

Those choices have led to unexpected reunions, even silencing the condemnation that was directed against me. I learned to live this way because the Lord said that a heart that is willing to bless rather than punish will have a greater impact on our divided relationships than we first imagined. It will demonstrate that restoration is always possible when we display the heart of God, not our wounded emotions.