Gifts to Greatness

Proverbs 18:16, “¹⁶ A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”

What do you think about when you think about gift giving? Birthday, Christmas, and anniversaries all come to mind. Sometimes we give people we love gifts just because of who they are and , genesisbecause we love them. It was and still is very much a custom in most of the world that when you go to visit someone you bring a gift with you for the head of the household. It is presented to that person and then they decide to let you stay or go. So giving a gift is as the scripture says away to into the presence of someone great.

Jacob had done a few really bad things to his brother Esau. He stole the blessings of his father and he stole his birth rite. Esau wanted to kill him so Jacob ran away. But there came a day that he desired to go back towards his home with his new wives and children but he was so afraid of what his brother might do as he got closer he sent out  servants with gifts. In Genesis 32:20 we read, “²⁰ And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.”  He was trying to prepare the way for his meeting hoping to be received by his brother. I love this part of the story the peace offerings he sent ahead of him actually brought him into the presence of greatness. That very night Jacob wrestled with God. You never know what gift might bring you into the presence of greatness. Jacob’s gift was intended to bring peace to him and his brother. To look at it from a personal perspective the gift and the attempt to make peace got God’s attention.  God blessed Jacob and Jacob found peace with his brother. Genesis 32:25, “²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Sometimes the gifts we give can affect others in ways that we may never see or understand but God sees it and knows the desires of our hearts as we give them. Today consider what gifts you could give that might bring someone closer to God; through the action of giving we each grow closer to God. Have a blessed day and be sure to go somewhere and worship with other believers today.