One could go on at great length in discussing the honor and shame connotations so as to be able to gain a more robust reading of Scripture, but it seems as if the point has been made. Considerations of honor and shame are more than necessary if we are to rightly understand the stories and movement of Scripture, as this cultural component looms large. Approaching the text from this angle allows us to make sense of the stories on their own terms, rather than reading terms and ideas into them, however noble or uplifting those things might be, that simply are not there. Additionally, as was previously said, proceeding along these lines allows us to hear the narrative as it would have been heard by the people for whom it was written, while also allowing us to better comprehend the movement of Scripture, and therefore, better able to comprehend and serve the God of the Scriptures. This, of course, allows us to better understand the words and deeds of God made manifest among us, Jesus of Nazareth.
So what have we seen in the course of this study? What is it that set us down the path that has revealed to us that Esau, perhaps surprisingly, was the compassionate brother? To answer that question, let us briefly review the story of Jacob in broad terms. Jacob, as we know, was one of two sons. He was the younger of fraternal twins. In a deceptive and dishonorable action, he secured for himself the blessing of his (purportedly dying) father---a blessing that belonged to his brother. This generated anger on behalf of his brother, and most likely, on the part of his father as well (due to the shame that would have been generated by the deception). His brother was determined to kill him, so rather than staying, Jacob left, putting distance between himself and those that he had shamed, ending up in the house of his uncle, Laban.
As we saw, Jacob lived a rather interesting and tumultuous life. In particular, we described the scene with his wives competing for his attention and his affection, with them offering up their female servants as wives to their husband, as rather riotous. When one considers the lifestyle, the adjective “wild” comes to mind. By all indications, he worked very hard for his uncle. It appears to be the case that he served to increase his uncle’s wealth, but when it came to his own wealth, possessions, and honor, though he had received the blessing of his father (which promised the richness of the earth along with plenty of grain and new wine), it was as if his life was gripped by famine. Seeking to rectify this situation, he struck a deal with his uncle. Though at first it seems like a legitimate agreement, closer inspection causes us to realize that Laban may very well have intended to cause Jacob to become discouraged and despondent over his situation, hopeful that this would result in Jacob leaving (and leaving behind his wives and children).
Eventually, after realizing there was nothing more to be gained by staying where he is, and continuing to live in what was going to be a difficult and ultimately unsatisfying situation, Jacob expresses a desire to return to his father’s house. He shares with his wives the reasons for acting on this desire. However, there is the problem of his dishonored and angry brother (not to mention the dishonored and angry father, whose son had brought shame on the entire family). Jacob had no idea how Esau would respond, and he figured he would meet up with him somewhere along the journey to his father’s house. With this in mind, he devises a plan by which he will attempt to soothe his brother, even if it means dishonor for himself.
With the gifts of a substantial number of animals, the words of the messengers, the bowing before Esau, and the repeated use of “servant” and “lord,” we saw that plan unfold. However, we also learn that Esau felt it to be completely unnecessary, as he runs to his brother, welcoming him with open arms, demonstrating compassion in his words and actions. Basically, though Esau will begrudgingly accept the gifts that are on offer from his brother, Jacob’s well-rehearsed plan is dismissed out of hand, as Esau counters Jacob’s attempt to dishonor himself in order to elevate his brother, with his own act to bring shame upon himself---running to his brother and not taking action to avenge the dishonor done to him many years prior. Whereas Jacob expected conflict, Esau appeared to be in favor of celebration. Though Jacob had been dead to him, and thought he had wanted him dead, it was now as if Jacob had returned to life.
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