Jacob sends his sons back to Egypt with gifts - balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts, almonds. He's honoring the ruler of Egypt by sending the best things his impoverished land produces.
There's something profound about creating beauty and quality even in poverty. Jacob's land is suffering famine, and he still gathers gifts that represent excellence and care.
My community has very little, but we maintain traditions of bringing gifts to each other. Quality food, hand-made items. We're working out of Jacob's principle - you honor someone by giving your best, even when you don't have much. The gift is the statement: you're worth the best we have.
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