For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Jacob is about to meet the brother he wronged. He's terrified. But forgiveness is about to surprise everyone.
Today's Story
The big moment came. Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. Jacob was so scared. He put his family safely behind him and walked out front, bowing low to the ground, again and again, as he came near his brother.
But then — something Jacob never expected. Esau RAN to him! He threw his arms around Jacob's neck, hugged him tight, and they both cried. All those years of anger and hurt — and Esau had forgiven him. The brothers wept together, so glad to be back together.
Jacob tried to give Esau all the gifts he had brought. “I already have plenty, my brother!” Esau said. “Keep what's yours.” But Jacob wanted him to have them, because seeing Esau's kind, forgiving face felt like a gift from God. “To see your face,” Jacob said, “is like seeing the face of God, because you've welcomed me so kindly.”
The brother Jacob feared became the brother who forgave him. What a happy, tearful, beautiful reunion.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jacob was terrified, but Esau forgave him and hugged him. Have you ever been nervous to say sorry, and it turned out better than you feared?
- Esau ran to Jacob — he didn't wait. Who is someone you could forgive, or make up with?
- Jacob said seeing Esau's kind face was like seeing God's face. How is forgiveness like something God does?