LESSON 18
Genesis for Today: Chapters 32-33
by Herb Drake

Copyright (c) 1998, 2020, Herb Drake.

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Jacob's Fear of Esau

It's been twenty hears since Jacob fled Canaan to escape his brothers threat on his life. Has Esau's anger grown? Or has it diminished? Whatever the case, Jacob learns that Esau was planning to come meet him with 400 men, so his fear increases.

To blunt Esau's anger, prepares three groups of livestock, each headed by one of his servants, and has them meet Esau one at a time, each time explaining that the animals are gifts. And at this point we have a break in the action--a "cliff hanger," if you will.

Jacob Wrestles with God

As he sends his party across a stream called the Jabbok, he remains alone on the other shore where he wrestles with "a man." This is an important but mysterious episode in Jacob's life. The "man" is a placeholder for some unknown agent of God. It is after dark, so Jacob can't see his adversary. He is racked with worry about his upcoming meeting with Esau. That God is somehow Jacob's adversary is certain because Jacob's name is changed to "Israel," and only God can give someone a new name. It is important because of the three-fold outcome:

• Jacob has become cripled.
• Jacob is forced to reveal his name, thus admitting that he is a deceiver.
• Jacob's name is changed, indicating a change in his character.

Jacob and Esau Meet and Separate

As Esau's party comes into view, Jacob (that is, Israel) arranges his own procession in the order of his preference, his favorites (Rachel and Joseph) in the rear where there is safety, his wives's servants and their children in the front, and Leah and her children in the middle. (Whatever he may have learned with in his struggle with God, he was not cured of favoritism).

As they meet, Jacob bows seven times. But Esau seems to have long forgotten his threat and greets his brother with such a warm welcome that Jacob sees in it the face of God. The meeting is amicable. Gifts are exchanged and Esau invites Jacob to return with him. But Jacob offers an excuse and heads toward Shechem in Canaan where he purchases property and establishes himself. They have different destinations, and there is truth in Jacob's explanation that he can't outrun his children and flocks--a concern that church members still have today. Some travel faster than others, and it is necessary to find a middle ground that allows the church to do the work of the Lord with unity and coordination.

Regarding the two brothers, Esau is the one who is most forgiving and welcoming. The 400 men accompaning Esau were probably defensive and not offensive. If we go back to the day that Jacob left to escape Esau, his mother's assumance that Esau's anger would fade, turned out to be correct.

We need to ask how our face is perceived both inside and outside of the church, and how the face of the church is perceived. Do the lost walk by our church doors, expecting only judgment and condemnation? Or do they see "the face of God" as did Jacob?

Genesis 30-31 | Genesis 34-35