Recap: (For Genesis chapters 1-18 see Genesis 18 recap).
So far in the second section of Genesis, we have looked at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham’s move to the area between Gerar and Beersheba, the birth of Isaac and the driving out of Ishmael, the offering of Isaac, Esau’s attitude to his birthright and Isaac’s deceit in taking the blessing intended for Esau, and Isaac’s swift departure to Paddan Aram. We have seen Isaac’s marriage to Leah and Rachel, the birth of his children and his growth in prosperity. We have also witnessed his escape from Laban, and his journey to meet Esau. On the way he wrestled with God and received the name Israel.
Read Genesis 33:1-20
1 Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. 2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
Jacob caught up with his family and went ahead of them to meet Esau; hopefully now with more confidence, but still showing deference.
4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
Obviously when Esau set out, his intention was not friendly – you don’t need 400 armed troops for a peace mission.
In Jacob’s fear and distress (32:7) he tried to do all that was humanly possible, but actually it had no effect on the outcome of his meeting with Esau. Having wrestled with God all night in prayer, it is apparent that God himself had caused Esau’s change of attitude, and all Jacob’s schemes were unnecessary.
Perhaps a good time to revisit our question from the last study:
Is it best to do all you can yourself, and trust God to do the rest?
Or should we just trust God?
Actually we have assumed, like Jacob, that Esau was intent on revenge. But what are the facts?
- Esau had been informed that his brother, who had tricked him out of his inheritance and blessing, was now returning.
- Not only returning, but bringing with him an entire tribe of people and animals.
- He may even have heard that Jacob had actually taken everything from his uncle.
- It appeared that Jacob’s intention was to travel to Seir to confront Esau.
When Jacob left the family home and fled north, Esau had been left to help run the family estate by himself. We can only assume that the large numbers of flocks and herds that Esau now possessed (Genesis 36:7-8) must in part have come from his parents. It is more than likely that when he left home to live in Seir his father was generous to his favourite son!
So it is just as likely that Esau was also afraid. Afraid that Jacob’s visit might not be a friendly one – that he was perhaps intent on empire-building, and he was in fact coming to claim Esau’s possessions as well. His only response was to gather as many supporters as he could muster and confront Jacob before he could attack.
Often we make decisions based on half the facts, or one side of the story. It is only later that we realise that had we trusted the Lord more we would have been saved so much heartache.
5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. ‘Who are these with you?’ he asked.
Jacob answered, ‘They are the children God has graciously given your servant.’
6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.
8 Esau asked, ‘What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?’
‘To find favour in your eyes, my lord,’ he said.
9 But Esau said, ‘I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.’
Many years had passed since the two brothers had separated. Old rivalry seemed to be forgotten, the desire to eventually get the family inheritance was no longer significant. Each of the two brothers had left home, been successful and had built families of their own: ‘I already have plenty’ (v9) and ‘I have all I need.’ (v11).
But Jacob was thrilled to be able to restore good relations with his brother and insists that he accepts his gift.
10 ‘No, please!’ said Jacob. ‘If I have found favour in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favourably. 11 Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.’ And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.
Tensions between the two brothers have been eased, but there still appears to be a lingering need for Esau to exert his authority
12 Then Esau said, ‘Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.’
13 But Jacob said to him, ‘My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. 14 So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.’
15 Esau said, ‘Then let me leave some of my men with you.’
‘But why do that?’ Jacob asked. ‘Just let me find favour in the eyes of my lord.’
Actually it must have by now been obvious that both brothers were well set up individuals who would only be able to develop their tribes independently.
(see Genesis 36:7-8 Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock. So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.)
16 So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. 17 Jacob, however, went to Sukkoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Sukkoth. (Shelters) 18 After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city.
Where have we heard the name Shechem before?
Genesis 12:6-7 ‘Abram travelled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.’
When Jacob set up camp for the night he would have been well aware of his Grandfather’s actions and he was moved to do the same.
19 For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. 20 There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. (Israel was Jacob’s new name but it will be a while before it is generally used)
Jacob didn’t stay there, he moved on to Bethel (but called Luz then) (Genesis 35:6), Bethlehem (but called Ephratha then Genesis 35:16-19) and finally home to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (Genesis 35:27).
Note verse 18 ‘he arrived safely’ and compare with Genesis 28:20-21 :
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God’.
Of all the characters we have met so far, it seems only the Lord can be trusted completely!
