Six Case Studies on Attitudes and Actions of Forgiven People Old Testament:

Moses and Miriam: Praying for those who persecute you.

Jacob and Esau: Peace can be real even when closeness remains limited. Joseph and his brothers: Others may mean evil, but God can turn it to good.

New Testament:

Jesus and Peter: Even failures can be restored to usefulness.

Philemon and Onesimus: Jesus can change an offender’s identity and relationship. The Prodigal Son: The Father not only forgives; He welcomes and restores us.

BEFORE PURSUING PEACE HORIZONTALLY, JACOB HAD A LIFE-CHANGING ENCOUNTER VERTICALLY.

• True biblical forgiveness begins with acknowledgment of sin.

• God always initiates true repentance

• God changes our nature—-usually a process.

True biblical forgiveness begins with acknowledgment of sin.

Genesis 32:3 – 5 (NLT)

³Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land

of Edom.

⁴He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban,

⁵and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly tome.’”

God always initiates true repentance

Genesis 32:22 – 29 (NLT)

²²During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them.

²³After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions.

²⁴This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break.

²⁵When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket.

²⁶Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”But Jacob said,“Iwill not let you go unless you bless me.”²⁷“What is your name?” the man asked.

He replied, “Jacob.”

²⁸“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel,^£because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

²⁹“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.

“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

God changes our nature—-usually a process.

Genesis 33:1 – 15 (NLT)

³Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him.

⁴Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.

And they both wept.⁵….God has graciously given to me, your servant,”Jacob replied.

¹⁵“……It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!”