Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
To err is human while
to forgive is divine. The healing of the nations is usually preceded by the
acknowledgment of sin, repentance and forgiveness after which healing and
restoration begins. 2nd Chronicles Chapter 7 verse 14.
The Bible is replete with teachings, instructions and
commandments to forgive people who hurt one another. They include Ephesians
Chapter 4 verse 32, Matthew Chapter 18 verses 21 to 35, Colossians Chapter 3
verses 12 to 23, and Luke Chapter 17 verses 3 to 4.
Jesus Christ and Peter
Peter denied Jesus Christ three times yet Jesus did
not renege on His promise to Peter. Please see Matthew Chapter 16 verses 15 to
19, John Chapter 21 verses 15 to 22, Acts Chapter 2 verses 14, 4 verse 8. Jesus
Christ knew that Peter would deny Him yet He prayed for Peter ahead of the
temptation and denial (Luke Chapter 22 verses 31 to 34, 54 to 62). The devil
wanted to make nonsense of Peter’s faith but God intervened through
intercession for Peter. He also forgave Peter and never mentioned the incident
after the resurrection. Rather, He commissioned Peter to take care of the early
Church.
Significantly, Peter led the early Church. It is also
significant to note that Peter repented – he wept bitterly after the rooster
crowed.
Esau and Jacob
These are twin brothers that should have been
extremely close to one another yet at different points, wrong relational
attitudes and actions caused a rift of hatred that made Esau want to kill his
twin brother. Fortunately, Jacob fled early enough from Esau’s anger, hatred
and sword. Their relationship at that point in time had degenerated to that of
enemies – Esau was angry that Jacob cunningly stole his birth right and
proceeded from there to steal the blessings their father Isaac wanted to give
to Esau.
The relationship between Isaac and Rebekah coupled
with the way they related to the children contributed to the degeneration that
took place in their relationship. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game
while Rebekah loved Jacob. That was enough to create discord and schism among
the brothers. Please see Genesis Chapters 25 verses 27 to 34 and 27 verses 1 to
45. For many years, the brothers were separated from each
other. Jacob had married wives, had children just as Esau had done long before
Jacob thought of getting married. However, the situation in Laban’s home and
country was no longer conducive for Jacob and his family. He decided to return
home. But he had to take care of the relationship between him and his twin
brother Esau. He sent emissaries to Esau and became afraid when they returned
and told him that Esau was coming out with four hundred men to meet him. At
that point in time, Jacob asked God for intervention. Please see Genesis
Chapter 32 verses 1 to 13. God honored the prayer of Jacob and by the time the
brothers met, Jacob was shocked as his brother Esau ran to meet him, embraced
him, fell on his neck and kissed him. For the first time in many years, they
were brothers again and they wept, tears of joy at the reunion and the fact
that God spared their lives and kept Esau from killing Jacob in the moment of
uncontrolled anger – Genesis Chapter 33 verses 1 to 20.
God healed and restored their relationship. Esau
accepted gifts from Jacob and even offered security for Jacob and the children.
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