As Chapter 31 ended we saw Jacob leaving Laban in peace.  Two camps that were hostile to one another parted ways calmly as Laban kissed his daughters and grandchildren goodbye.  Jacob and his entourage are now headed to Canaan.

In the beginning verses of Chapter 32 Jacob is greeted by angels and views this sighting as divine securing his encounter with his brother, Esau, as peaceful .  The place where the sighting occurs is called Mahanaim which means “two hosts” or “double camp”.  After all, if he and Laban can part in peace, maybe he and his brother could follow suit. Jacob sends messengers ahead of him to meet Esau.  Desiring to know his brother’s intentions, Jacob sends a messenger using terms such as “your servant” and “my lord” indicating respect in an attempt to defuse the situation if Esau has come to retaliate.

After being given the report that Esau was headed in his direction with four hundred men, Jacob (being Jacob) decides he should take an extra measure to ensure safety for his wives and children.  He divides his camp into two in order that if one camp is attacked by Esau, the other will survive.  Appears Jacob is still trying to help God out, don’t you think?

But in verses 9-12 we read the prayer of Jacob.  I asked the question what was Jacob really praying for as he came before God? Was this a turning point for Jacob of total surrender of his plans and schemes?  It appears to me that Jacob was in total need of God’s help.  When he left home twenty years ago, it was just him.  Now he has wives and children, workers and animals depending on his protection and provision.  He remembers the covenant promise established by God, first to his forefathers and then to him.  Jacob is now laying claim to those promises.  Interestingly, Jacob sent three separate installments of gifts to his brother, Esau, ahead of him to “lessen the blow” of his brother’s possible anger for actions of twenty years ago.  My commentary states the total animal gifting amounted to 580!  That’s a lot of gifting!  In each instance Jacob wants his servants to remind Esau that he is seeking to find favor in his brother’s eyes.  Is this another ploy of Jacob to ensure his own safety after just proclaiming God’s promises?

So the night before the meeting with his brother, Jacob sends his immediate family across the stream called Jabbok (meaning “he will empty”) and he stays behind at Peniel (meaning “the face of God”).  It was at this place that Jacob finally is taught the ultimate lesson of trusting God.  It was here that Jacob actually wrestled with God in the physical and spiritual sense.  During this physical contact, Jacob’s hip was pulled out of its socket causing him to walk with a limp for the rest of his life.  Although the physical battle was lost, spiritually Jacob learned that God was greater than anything or any man he could face.  As God emptied Jacob of all his clever “self” schemes and confidence in his own ability, Jacob would not let go of God until God had blessed him.  To me, this is total surrender of everything Jacob was and hoped to be to his Father God.  Jacob finally realizes he is nothing without God’s guidance, blessing and aid.  God blesses Jacob with a name change.  Jacob’s name will be Israel (meaning “God rules”; “one who strives with God”; or “a prince of God”).

Couple of notes for you to consider:  First, in the Jewish faith the sciatic nerve or thigh vein must be removed from a slaughtered animal before the animal is prepared for human consumption by the orthodox Jews.  Why?  Because Jacob’s hip socket was touched near the tendon.

Secondly, what in your life are you wrestling to overcome?  Jacob was on his way to confront Esau.  He tried everything he could think of to ease Esau’s anger or retaliation instead of trusting God.  In Jacob we see that we all wrestle whether it be with other people (brothers, sisters, parents, children, extended family, boss, co-workers, husband/wife), ourselves or with God.  Christ comes to save us, rescue us and sometimes to wrestle with us.  He cripples our sin nature (Jacob’s hip) in order to get our attention and change our direction to concur with His. 

Jacob, the heal grabber, is now ready to met his brother, Esau.  He has finally stopped grabbing from others and has grabbed onto God.

At times, Lord, you must get so disappointed in our behavior and motives.  One minute we believe your promises and say we will cling to them forever and the next moment we are trying to figure out how to help you accomplish those promises!  Lord, what we are learning in this study about the person of Jacob is incredible!  Sometimes I what to scream at him and ask him what is he doing??  But then I remember that I, too, must cause you to want to do the same when my faith begins to wan and becomes ineffective in my witness to others.  Lord, strengthen our resolve and place deep within our hearts a spiritual fervor, a passion and an enthusiastic zeal that is unmatched and strives to bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.  

Next week’s assignment:  Read Chapter 33

The brothers finally meet after twenty years.  Think about each brother. 

1.      What do you think is the emotional status of Esau?  Of Jacob?  List the types of emotions you feel must be flowing through their veins.

2.    How did Esau feel about the extravagant gifts given to him by Jacob?

3.    What was Jacob’s reaction to Esau’s suggestion of travel plans back to Canaan?

4.    How would you have felt?  Does God come into the equation here?

5.    What mistake is Jacob seemingly making with his change of travel plans?

 

 
 


Comments

Jan
09/05/2010 05:42

CHAPTER 33 – JACOB SHOWS HIS BRAVERY
EMOTIONS – I would imagine it was a total mix of emotions – Esau was genuinely excited to see his long lost brother return! I true reunion among now mature brothers who can hopefully put the mistakes of the past behind them! And Jacob – well – nervous – VERY nervous – not knowing if his brother would kill him OR hug him! And then relief – when it is a happy, heartwarming reunion.
GIFTS – Esau seemed to be down to earth and humble – he didn’t want Jacob to present him with gifts – he was just happy his brother had returned! And besides, the Lord had blessed him and he didn’t need the herds, etc. Ultimately Esau agreed to accept the presents because Jacob insisted.
ESAU OFFERS TRAVEL HELP – Esau first offered to accompany Jacob, then when that offer was refused, Esau offered to leave some of his staff to assist Jacob with the travel. Jacob refused both offers of assistance, then assured Esau he would catch up with him in Edom. THEN – and I’m confused – he deceived and went to Succoth. I’ve looked at the maps and it seems like these are two very different areas…. Why would Jacob do this? I’m sure had I been Jacob, this would have been a time where my radar was up – trying to be confident Esau was genuine in his welcoming reception, and not setting a trap BUT again – one minute Jacob trusts God wholeheartedly and then he doesn’t….. guess just like we are… perhaps that’s the underlying message!

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