Go Slowly“I will lead on slowly at a pace which … the children are able to endure.” Genesis 33:14 (NKJV)Jacob had lived in exile for many years, afraid of his brother Esau. In Genesis 27:41 we are told that Esau hated Jacob and promised to kill him because Jacob had dealt deceitfully with him, robbing Esau of the blessing that was his as first-born. So Jacob had fled in fear and stayed away from Esau’s territory for more than twenty years.
But the Lord dealt with Jacob and told him to return. In Genesis 32, Jacob sends messengers, laden with gifts, to his brother. Esau agrees to come meet his brother – with 400 men. It is not surprising that Jacob “was greatly afraid and distressed” and divided his family and herds into two companies so that if Esau attacked one, at least the other would escape.
He makes all manner of preparations and in Genesis 33, Esau and Jacob are finally reunited. What a scene! Fearful that Esau would kill him and wipe out his family, Jacob must have been overwhelmed by his brother’s welcome: Esau ran to meet his brother, embraced and kissed him.
Imagine how relieved Jacob must have felt! The brother who had promised to kill him now welcomed him, and they wept together. The joy of reconciliation. As the brothers got reacquainted, Jacob introduced his family and servants, and presented his brother with gifts.
Surely the reunion was more joyous than Jacob had dared to hope for. Esau then invited his brother and family to come with him. “Let’s go; and I will go before you.” What could be better? Jacob could now finally go settle back in his own land near his brother.
This was the day Jacob had longed for. I expect him to round up his family and herds and enthusiastically join his brother. But instead, he pauses and considers his family and his animals and says, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” (Genesis 33:13-14)
Amazing! Jacob set a different pace, a slow pace. He knew that to drive the children or animals too hard - even for one day – would be disastrous. The Amplified Bible conveys the depth of his concern: “The children are tender and delicate and need gentle care, and the flocks and herds with young are of concern to me… I will lead on slowly, governed by consideration for the livestock that set the pace before me and the endurance of the children.”
He wisely chose to let his brother go on ahead of him. I wonder if I would have done that under those circumstances? I suspect I would have urged everyone else to “hurry up” and tried to keep up the pace Esau had set. We can always rest later, right? And this is such a great opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime reconciliation, surely God will help me… that’s how my thoughts usually run as I push ahead.
But Jacob did none of that. His example is in God’s word for our edification. Let’s look at what Jacob did.
He considered his family, especially the young and then clearly stated their needs. He didn’t make excuses or try to delay his brother. He simply stated the need as he saw it. What he planned to do was in the best interest of his family. He did not let Esau push him to go faster, nor did he let his own desire to finally spend time with his brother override his common sense. He knew his limits and he respected the needs and limits of his family. He allowed Esau to go on ahead of him without worrying what his brother might think when he declined his invitation. Jacob thoughtfully determined the pace, led the way and proposed a different, more workable solution.
When I feel pressured to do too much, to take on yet another activity, I return to this story. I frequently need to be reminded to apply these principles in my life. It’s so easy to go too fast, to speed through life and stay over-extended. As the pace seems to become more frantic, we need to step back from the pressures of the world and apply wisdom to the choices that face us.
Thoughtfully consider every invitation and activity before you, or the children, take on one more thing. Our life should bring glory to God; we should be a mirror image of our gentle Shepherd. That will only happen when we slow down, resist the demands of the world and spend time daily with our Lord. May the Lord bless you as you meditate on this story and set a wise pace for you and your family.
Copyright, 2007, Laurie Latour.
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