Jacob and Esau Reunite?
Genesis 33
In Genesis 27 we saw that Jacob traded a bowl of lintel stew to his brother Esau for Esau’s birthright when Esau was hungry. We also saw that their mother Rebekah told Jacob to disguise himself as his brother Esau and trick their blind father, Isaac, into giving him the Firstborn Blessing. Now because of Esau’s threats against Jacob, Rebekah decides to tell Isaac a half truth. She does not want Jacob to marry a Canaanite like Esau has, it disgusts her; but she does not tell of her trickery and Esau’s anger.
In Genesis 28 is the story of Isaac telling Jacob to go to his Uncle’s house to find a wife; then Isaac Blesses Jacob again: “Now may El Shaddai Bless you and make you Fruitful and multiply you so that you will become an assembly of Peoples. May He give you The Blessing of Abraham, to you and your seed with you that you may take possession of the land of your sojourn, which GOD Gave to Abraham.” (Genesis 28:1-4)
In Genesis 29-30 we see Laban and Jacob deceiving each other. Laban gets both his daughters married to Jacob in exchange for 14 years of labor. Jacob spends the next 6 years becoming a rich man while Laban’s fortunes decline.
In Genesis 31 we see Jacob’s herd of sheep and goats was growing and Laban’s was not and Laban and his sons noticed. Jacob realized that he had lost favor with Laban and decided to leave, he spoke to his wives telling them that Laban had changed his salary 10 times and they saw they had no future there so they agreed (Genesis 31:1-10, 14-16).
In Genesis 32 we see the continuing saga of Jacob son of Isaac, son of Abraham. Jacob and Laban his uncle on his mother, Rebekah’s, side have parted ways and Laban’s descendants now become enemies of Israel like all of Abraham’s descendants not of Isaac and Jacob. Jacob seems to have learned humility.
Jacob and Esau meet with hugs and tears, they try to outdo each other in humility and graciousness yet they each go their own way and do not meet again until their father’s death (Genesis 35:27-29).
Jacob sees Esau coming so he divides his wives and children into groups putting Bilhah and Zilpah with their children followed by Leah and her children and then Rachel and Joseph. Then he went before them and bowed to the ground before his brother 7 times as they drew together, fearful right up to the moment of their meeting. Then Esau ran to Jacob and hugged Jacob and kissed Jacob’s neck and they wept together. (Genesis 33:1-4) a very happy emotional reunion.
Then Esau saw the women and children following Jacob, when Esau asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “The children GOD has Graciously given your servant.” Then they came forward by group and bowed before Esau. (Genesis 33:5-7).
Now the brotherly rivalry begins; Esau asks, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Jacob answers, “These are to find favor in the sight my lord.” Esau replies, “I have enough my brother, keep what you have for yourself.” Jacob says, “No, please if I have found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of GOD and you were pleased with me. Please take my blessing that is brought to you, because GOD has dwelt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So Jacob urged Esau and Esau accepted Jacob’s gifts (Genesis 32:13-16) (Genesis 33:8-11).
Being one upped by Jacob, Esau now tries to get the upper hand; he says, “Let us take our journey; let us go and I will go before you.” But Jacob makes an excuse, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me; and if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flocks will die.” Such a liar, Jacob’s family and herds have already been traveling for 10 to 12 days (Genesis 31:22-23, 54-55, 32:21) with no worry of harm, except from Esau. But Jacob continues, “Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go on before me, and the children, are able to endure (this would be true, that the herds would have to travel slowly), until I come to my lord in Seir.” So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me (we know it was 400 men, there could have been women and children also).” But Jacob answers, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” So Esau left to Seir that day and Jacob continued on his own journey (Genesis 33:12-16). Their reunion was emotional and short; and they each went their own way. Jacob having bested his brother in deception.
Jacob traveled on to Cannan, purchased land and settled by the city of Shechem, and called the place Succoth (booths) and erected an altar called El Elohe Israel (GOD, The GOD of Israel). The example of Abraham’s, Isaac’s and Jacob’s misdeeds, deceptions and lies continued on through his children to every generation. This is good news for Christ-ians because GOD’s same Grace and Mercy are applied to our lives before and after we give our Life to JESUS as Savior and LORD. GOD, our Creator and Redeemer knows and understands our weaknesses and Gives us His SPIRIT so that we can overcome them; something they did not have.
Under the Law (Torah) the Hebrews were called to be Holy as GOD is HOLY (Leviticus 20:7-8, 26) but could not. But Christ-ians who are washed in The Blood of JESUS and filled with GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT can be Holy as GOD is HOLY (1 Peter 1:13-21)!
No comments:
Post a Comment