Friends Again

1 Even though he himself had sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob, Esau was angry and threatened to kill him. Then their father, Isaac, sent Jacob to his uncle in Padan-aram. (See Gen. 25; Gen. 27:41; Gen. 28:5.)

2 The two brothers had gone their separate ways, and each had large families and servants and flocks of animals. Now they were about to meet again, and Jacob prayed for help. (See Gen. 32:3–12.)

3 Jacob sent Esau a message of friendship and gifts of peace: 220 goats, 220 sheep, 30 camels, 50 cattle, 20 asses, and 10 foals. (See Gen. 32:13–20.)

4 When the two groups met, Esau ran to embrace Jacob and offered to return his gifts. But Jacob said that he had been blessed so much that he wanted to share his blessings with his brother, so Esau accepted them. The brothers were friends again. (See Gen. 33:4–11.)

Illustrated by Elise Niven Black