Jacob has just struggled all night with God. The sun rises in the morning to find him limping due to an injury near his hip joint. God has changed his name to Israel to reflect the change that has occurred in his character. Sometimes, God allows us to struggle. Sometimes, things are not easy and we come away with battle scars. Sometimes, this is how God reaches us (2 Cor 4:17). Jacob is limping, but he has been changed.
We see, in the first three verses of today’s text, that as he comes limping, he looks up and sees Esau approaching. This is the thing he has been dreading. Does his brother still want to kill him? He has prayed fervently. He has sent gifts. Now the big showdown has finally arrived. But unlike the past, where he sent his family ahead of him, this time he puts himself in the front. He has become a man. Interestingly, Jacob has arranged his family in the order of which wife is dearest to him, keeping Rachel and her son in the back (the safest position). And not only has Jacob placed himself out in front (the most vulnerable position), but he is also limping while his brother, Esau, is running. Sometimes, God allows us to face our biggest challenges in a vulnerable position. It is at those times that He can show His great strength (2 Cor 12:9).
We see Jacob bow down to his brother seven times. He is showing humility. It is necessary for Jacob to make amends for the wrongs he has done to his brother in the past and Jacob is showing his desire for forgiveness from his brother. We see this number seven in the Bible often, and it symbolizes completeness. This is a full apology before his brother. A full repentance. He is seeking reconciliation with his twin brother. Making amends with his brother is a necessary step in being ready to receive God’s covenant promises.
In verse 4, we see a tearful reunion. The brothers embraced. Words were not needed. We can feel the emotion in this verse as the two men, who have not seen each other in over 20 years, are just happy to be together again. No one even brings up what has gone down in the past. They are brothers.
In verses 5-6, Esau asks about the women and the children. Each group, in turn, comes and is introduced to Esau. It is like any family, after a long absence, catching up on who’s who. Then, in verses 8-11, Esau asks about the livestock. I am sure that he knew they were sent as gifts to assuage his anger. He tries to return them but Jacob insists. Each man is trying to do right by the other. I believe that their hearts were right before God. It is God’s desire that we resolve our differences with others (Matt 5:23-24). As Christians, God desires that we love one another (I John 4:20-21). Do you have unresolved differences with family members? With brothers and sisters in Christ? With non-believers? An unwillingness to make amends is a failure to obey the Lord and submit to His Divine will. The Bible tells us to love even our enemies (Matt 5:44).
Read verses 12-15. Esau offers to accompany Jacob the rest of his way into Canaan, but Jacob makes excuses why this is not necessary. Why do you suppose he is reluctant to have Esau travel with him? The Bible doesn’t really tell us his reasons. Perhaps he did not fully trust Esau yet. Or perhaps, he knew the relationship was not strong and didn’t want to risk straining it. Remember from previous lessons, the Bible tells us that Esau was profane and ungodly. Jacob may not have thought the relationship was strong enough to stand up to extended togetherness. Sometimes, the best way to get along with someone is distance.
For whatever reason, verses 16-17 tell us that Jacob and Esau then parted ways. Esau went back to Seir and Jacob went on to Sukkoth. In Sukkoth, Jacob built shelters for his livestock, which is why he named the place Sukkoth, which means ‘shelters’.
In verses 18-20, we see Jacob continue on and he camped outside the city of Shechem. He bought the land where he was camped and built an altar to God, which he named ‘El Elohe Israel’, which means ‘God is the God of Israel’.
Record I John 4:20-21 in your journal.
Responding to God: Praise God for family, thanking Him for your siblings. Seek His forgiveness for any unresolved family squabbles. Ask His guidance and healing power to resolve issues which you may have with other people and seek His forgiveness for any you have been unwilling to address. Seek His grace in living in peace with others. Pray for His protection over your family and thank Him for the protection He has given you.
Further Research: Read I John 2:3-11, 3:11-24, and 4:7-21.
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