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| e-pistle from Bishop Mike |
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July 24, 2006 "Jacob and Esau; Israel and Hezbollah"These past days I have agonized over the conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. I have never been in Lebanon, but I have been on the northern border of Israel near Lebanon. I have stayed in Nahariya, visited Nazareth and Haifa, and so I feel the sadness that always comes with observing familiar areas embroiled in violence and death. Especially troubling is to see the random nature of violence and the ensuing civilian casualties. The long history of violence and distrust makes peace an unlikely prospect, but I ask all of you to join me in praying for peace nonetheless. As I have reflected on this conflict, I have found myself turning to the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis, especially the conclusion of their conflict in chapter 33. As you remember, Jacob is the younger twin brother of Esau, two sons born to an aged Isaac, and their life story was one of competition and conflict. It is clear that the Hebrew Scriptures regard Esau as the ancestor of the Edomites and the modern-day Arabs. Jacob is renamed "Israel" after his struggles with God and becomes one of the patriarchs of Israel, and so the story of the enmity of these two brothers is a prelude to centuries of conflict between two peoples. However, in Chapter 33 of Genesis there is a time of reconciliation between Jacob and Esau which is inspiring. Jacob has tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing due to his brother Esau, Jacob has swindled his brother Esau, his uncle Laban and generally lived a despicable life. But after his encounter and wrestling with God, Jacob comes home and seeks to avoid Esau's wrath by impressing him and bribing him with his wealth. Instead of seeking revenge, Esau embraces his brother Jacob, forgives him, and welcomes him home. Jacob is so overcome by this reconciliation that he says to his brother, "I see your face, and to me you look like the face of God" (Genesis 33:10). From this ancient story, we are meant to learn the power of forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life in the family of God. Is it possible that the descendants of Jacob and Esau today could move into a time of forgiveness and reconciliation? With all of the centuries of hatred and hurt on both sides, clearly there is no pathway to peace without forgiveness, because only forgiveness can heal such long-time hurts. In the midst of all the diplomacy, which is a human endeavor at reconciliation, perhaps it is time to turn to the power of forgiveness, which is a divine endeavor. Could the modern-day Jacob and Esau learn to embrace and forgive? Even though it seems unlikely, I am convinced that in such reconciliation they each would look at the other and see the face of God. Please join me in this prayer which was prepared by the staff of the General Board of Discipleship of our United Methodist Church:
from Bishop Michael J. Coyner Indiana Area of the United Methodist
Church If you know someone who has yet to sign up for e-HUM, they simply need to send a blank e-mail from their preferred e-mail account to add@inareaumc.org. e-HUM Bishop copyright 2006 by Indiana Area United Methodist Communications. |
