First Forgive 先去饶恕

[Dexu Xia]

Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him.  Genesis 33:4

Genesis 33:1–11

We called ourselves “sisters in Christ,” but my White friend and I had begun to act like enemies. Over a café breakfast one morning, we argued unkindly over our differing racial views. Then we parted, with me vowing not to see her again. One year later, however, we were hired by the same ministry—working in the same department, unable not to reconnect. Awkwardly at first, we talked over conflicts. Then, over time, God helped us to apologize to each other and to heal and to give the ministry our best.

God also healed the bitter division between Esau and his twin brother, Jacob, and blessed both their lives. A onetime schemer, Jacob had robbed Esau of their father’s blessing. But twenty years later, God called Jacob to return to their homeland. So, Jacob sent ahead bountiful gifts to appease Esau. “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept” (Genesis 33:4).

Their reunion stands as a classic example of God’s urging to settle anger with a brother or sister before offering our gifts—talents or treasures—to Him (Matthew 5:23–24). Instead, “first go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (v. 24). Jacob obeyed God by reconciling with Esau, and later setting up an altar to God (Genesis 33:20). What a beautiful order: First, strive for forgiveness and reconciliation. Then, at His altar, He receives us.

Against whom do you hold a grudge or grievance? What steps can you take to reconcile?

Dear God, when I hold onto hard feelings against another believer, inspire me on the way to Your altar to first forgive.

以扫跑来迎接[雅各]，将他抱住。—创世记33章4节

我们虽说都是“主内姐妹”，但我却和一位白人姐妹形同仇人。某天在一家咖啡厅吃早餐时，我们因对种族的观点有分歧而起了严重的争执。过后我们分道扬镳，我还发誓再也不要见到她。但没想到一年后，我俩竟在同一个福音机构服事，且在同一个部门工作，这迫使我们必须开始交谈。起初我们尴尬地谈论冲突，但一段时间后，上帝帮助我们互相道歉、医治我们心灵的创伤，并让我们能竭力地在机构里服事。

上帝也曾修复以扫和他双胞胎弟弟雅各之间的破裂关系，并赐福于他们的生活。雅各曾用计谋夺走原本父亲要给长子以扫的祝福后，不得不远避他乡。但过了20年，上帝要雅各返回家乡。在返乡途中，雅各先送出丰厚的礼物安抚以扫，但“以扫跑来迎接他，将他抱住，又搂着他的颈项与他亲嘴，两个人就哭了”（创世记33章4节）。

他们的重归于好符合了耶稣的一个教导，祂要我们在献上礼物（才干或财宝）前，先和弟兄姐妹和好。正如耶稣教导我们：“先去同弟兄和好，然后来献礼物”（马太福音5章23-24节）。雅各顺服上帝，与以扫和好，后来还为上帝建立祭坛（创世记33章20节）。这是多么美好的顺序：先去竭力得着人的饶恕、与人和好，然后来到上帝面前，祂必会接纳我们。

你对谁怀怨或不满吗？可以采取什么步骤与对方和好？

亲爱的上帝，当我对主内弟兄姐妹心怀怨恨时，
求祢使我能在向祢献祭前，愿意先饶恕对方。