Returning Home

The reunion between twin brothers Jacob and Esau in Genesis 33 is very touching, especially considering the fall-out the two had experienced 20 years earlier (Genesis 27:41). One of the podcasts I listened to this week (Unshaken Saints) suggested that we can look at this reunion as a parallel to the future reunion we will have with our older brother Jesus Christ when we return to our heavenly home.

We can look at Esau as a type and shadow of Christ in the way he receives Jacob back home. Esau shows instant acceptance of Jacob, full of love and forgiveness for his younger brother (Genesis 33:4). In this parallel, we can also see ourselves in Jacob's shoes, returning home with some fear (Genesis 32:11) and uncertainty that we will be welcomed back into our Father's presence. 

Elder J. Devn Cornish gave a talk in October 2016 titled Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It? that addressed this concern that many of us have; how will I be welcomed home? Elder Cornish says "I witness to you that if you will really try and will not rationalize or rebel—repenting often and pleading for the grace, or help, of Christ—you positively are going to be “good enough,” that is, acceptable before the Lord; you are going to make it to the celestial kingdom, being perfect in Christ; and you are going to receive the blessings and glory and joy that God desires for each of His precious children." This quote gives me great comfort when I have these same fears that Jacob had about returning home.

Even though Jacob had made covenants with the Lord (Genesis 28:12-22), it did not preclude him from having to endure hardships and struggles in his life. But as he tried his best to keep his covenants the Lord kept his promise to Jacob and brought him into his land, into his home (Genesis 28:15), where he was received with open arms (Genesis 33:4).