Jacob Meets Esau
TBC Book 1, Chapter 24
Genesis 32:1-32; 33:1-20; Hosea 12:4
Jacob had been away from his homeland for so long that he had almost forgotten why he left—his brother, Esau, wanted revenge. Jacob’s mother had reassured him she would send word when Esau calmed down. That message had never come. Could it be that, after all these years, his mother had died? Or did this mean that Esau had never forgiven him? Perhaps it meant both.
Jacob continued his journey with his family, his servants, and his livestock. Finally he reached a familiar place, and the Lord confirmed it with a host of angels to meet him. Yes, the Lord was here. It reminded him of that day years ago, when God’s angels visited him in a dream.
With a touch of fear, Jacob sent messengers to Esau. “Tell him that I’ve been with Laban. Explain that I have my own livestock and servants and that I hope to find favor in his eyes.”
When the messengers returned, Jacob sensed there was bad news. “Esau is coming to meet you,” they said. “He has 400 men with him.” Afraid and distressed, Jacob divided all his flocks and herds into two groups. If one group is destroyed, he thought, the other can flee.
Then Jacob fell to his knees and prayed: “O God of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, O Lord who has told me to return to my home. I know I am not worthy of all your kindness and faithfulness. Save me, I pray, and save the mothers and children from the hand of my brother.”
That night Jacob selected some possessions to send ahead of him as a gift to Esau: He sent 200 female goats and 20 males, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 males. He divided them into separate herds with distance between each group. Then he told each servant, “When my brother meets you and asks where you are going, tell him, ‘These belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift to you.’ ”
That night Jacob sent his family and possessions across the ford of the Jabbok River. Later, while he was alone, a man came up to him, and they wrestled all night. Finally, the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob refused. So the man touched his hip socket and wrenched it. Still, Jacob clung to him. “I will not let you go unless you bless me,” he said.
The man smiled, then he spoke: “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with divine and human beings and have prevailed.”
“What is your name?” Jacob asked.
“Why do you ask my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob.
So Jacob named that place Peniel because he had seen God face-to-face and was spared. And from that day on, Jacob walked with a limp.
When morning dawned, Jacob saw Esau coming with his 400 men. Quickly, he divided his family into three groups so some could escape if attacked. Jacob led the way, bowing to Esau as he went. But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.
When Esau looked up, he said, “Who are they?”
“The children God has graciously given your servant.”
“What do you mean by all the droves I met?” Esau asked.
“They are yours,” Jacob said. “Please, accept them as my gift.”
“I have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “You keep the droves.”
But when Jacob insisted, Esau accepted them. Then he offered to escort Jacob’s family.
“No,” Jacob said, “you needn’t do that. You go on ahead of me. I have to travel slowly with the children.” The truth was, Jacob was still a bit fearful.
So Esau returned to Seir, assuming he would meet Jacob there. Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built shelters for his livestock. When he arrived within sight of Shechem, he pitched his tent. Then he built an altar, and with a grateful heart, he worshiped the Lord.
TBC 24
Genesis 32:1-32; 33:1-20; Hosea 12:4
Jacob had been away from his homeland for so long that he had almost forgotten why he left—his brother, Esau, wanted revenge. Jacob’s mother had reassured him she would send word when Esau calmed down. That message had never come. Could it be that, after all these years, his mother had died? Or did this mean that Esau had never forgiven him? Perhaps it meant both.
Jacob continued his journey with his family, his servants, and his livestock. Finally he reached a familiar place, and the Lord confirmed it with a host of angels to meet him. Yes, the Lord was here. It reminded him of that day years ago, when God’s angels visited him in a dream.
With a touch of fear, Jacob sent messengers to Esau. “Tell him that I’ve been with Laban. Explain that I have my own livestock and servants and that I hope to find favor in his eyes.”
When the messengers returned, Jacob sensed there was bad news. “Esau is coming to meet you,” they said. “He has 400 men with him.” Afraid and distressed, Jacob divided all his flocks and herds into two groups. If one group is destroyed, he thought, the other can flee.
Then Jacob fell to his knees and prayed: “O God of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, O Lord who has told me to return to my home. I know I am not worthy of all your kindness and faithfulness. Save me, I pray, and save the mothers and children from the hand of my brother.”
That night Jacob selected some possessions to send ahead of him as a gift to Esau: He sent 200 female goats and 20 males, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 males. He divided them into separate herds with distance between each group. Then he told each servant, “When my brother meets you and asks where you are going, tell him, ‘These belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift to you.’ ”
That night Jacob sent his family and possessions across the ford of the Jabbok River. Later, while he was alone, a man came up to him, and they wrestled all night. Finally, the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob refused. So the man touched his hip socket and wrenched it. Still, Jacob clung to him. “I will not let you go unless you bless me,” he said.
The man smiled, then he spoke: “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with divine and human beings and have prevailed.”
“What is your name?” Jacob asked.
“Why do you ask my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob.
So Jacob named that place Peniel because he had seen God face-to-face and was spared. And from that day on, Jacob walked with a limp.
When morning dawned, Jacob saw Esau coming with his 400 men. Quickly, he divided his family into three groups so some could escape if attacked. Jacob led the way, bowing to Esau as he went. But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.
When Esau looked up, he said, “Who are they?”
“The children God has graciously given your servant.”
“What do you mean by all the droves I met?” Esau asked.
“They are yours,” Jacob said. “Please, accept them as my gift.”
“I have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “You keep the droves.”
But when Jacob insisted, Esau accepted them. Then he offered to escort Jacob’s family.
“No,” Jacob said, “you needn’t do that. You go on ahead of me. I have to travel slowly with the children.” The truth was, Jacob was still a bit fearful.
So Esau returned to Seir, assuming he would meet Jacob there. Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built shelters for his livestock. When he arrived within sight of Shechem, he pitched his tent. Then he built an altar, and with a grateful heart, he worshiped the Lord.
TBC 24
|
|
"Take up the shield of faith, . . . the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
—Ephesians 6:16-17