In Good Hands

“And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.” – Genesis 33:2

Before I left home for a four-month trip out of the country, my dad was very nervous. In fact, from his reaction to my decision to leave, someone who did not know him well might have thought he was angry. Yet, I knew he was only concerned for my safety. My dad does not like to risk losing the things he holds dear, no matter how small the risk might be. Thankfully, as the time of my departure drew near, the Lord gave him peace about the situation. God showed my dad that He could protect me in a foreign country just as well as He had protected me for my entire life in the United States.

While it is important to appreciate and take care of the blessings we have in life, we must be sure we do not hold those things too close, withholding them from the One who gave them to us and hindering Him from using them for His purpose. In the account our focus verse comes from, Jacob had to let go of everything he valued. He began by letting go of the least precious of his possessions—his cattle and flocks. He sent part of those goods ahead as a peace offering to his brother, Esau, to appease him for stealing his birthright. Then, when he saw the great army accompanying Esau, Jacob sent his handmaids and their children across the brook too. As Esau drew closer, Jacob sent Leah and her children across, and finally he sent the ones he held most dear—Rachel and Joseph.

Jacob was a true example of trusting God. All the signs indicated that Esau was still angry over his stolen birthright and blessing, and Jacob thought his brother might destroy everything sent before him. Yet, Jacob knew God wanted him to make right the things he had done to his brother, so he obeyed God and put everything in His hands. When it was all done and Jacob had let go of everything, God was satisfied. God softened Esau's heart toward Jacob, and peace was restored between the two brothers.

Like Jacob, we need to put everything we have “over the brook” if we want God to work for us. We cannot keep even the most precious of our treasures. It is difficult to trust someone else with what we cherish, but who would care for those things better than the loving and merciful God who gave them to us? Even though our hearts tell us to hang on, it is to our advantage to let go so God can use those things for His glory. If we give our treasures to the Keeper of all things, they will be in good Hands.