Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article we read how Jacob wrestled with an angel of the Lord and came away somewhat victorious with this divine encounter. One could possibly say, that perhaps, Jacob has now come full circle within his journey.
We find that he's now just moments away from reuniting with his twin brother Esau. Remember that the last time they were around each other, Jacob along with his mother had stolen Esau's special blessing from their father Isaac - through a plan of trickery and deceit. Because of this, Esau had vowed that he would kill Jacob. However, right after this incident had happened, Jacob would leave his father's household to avoid his brother's wrath. From this point forward, Jacob would embark on a twenty year journey that would take him through more enduring valleys and hillside challenges than he could ever imagine. Now he has come full circle and in a little while, he will meet the man who caused him to flee everything, and everyone he knew and loved. Be that as it may, we now move forward, to where we find Jacob watching Esau approach him from a distance. Jacob saw Esau approaching with his four-hundred men. And make no mistake, that after seeing this, Jacob worries would be confirmed somewhat. Because of this, he would get his camp ready by dividing his children and placing them each with their mothers. Next he would put the maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah along with their kids in the first group. And after that, he would put Leah and her children in the group to follow. And within the next group that made up the rear, he'd placed Rachel and her son Joseph. And after doing this, Jacob would then hurry to the front, so he could meet his brother first. Now we find Jacob coming before Esau and while doing so he would greet his brother by bowing down to him seven times as he approached. When Esau had seen his brother coming towards him bowing, he ran towards Jacob and embraced him. Both brothers would hug and kiss each other as they both began to weep. "Who are these people with you?" Esau asked Jacob as he finally looked up and saw everybody standing around looking at them. "They are the children that God has graciously given your servant." Jacob replied. After Jacob had said this, Bilhah and Zilpah along with their children would bow down to Esau as they approached. Next it would be Leah and her children approaching and bowing, followed by Rachel and her son Joseph, approaching and bowing. Keep in mind, that right before meeting Jacob, Esau had already met all the different groups of animals and servants that Jacob had sent ahead as gifts: "Why do you have me meeting all these droves?" Esau asked. "So I can find favor in your eyes my lord." Jacob replied. "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself." Esau declared. But Jacob would insist that Esau accept his gifts: "No please! If I have found favor in your eyes, accept these gifts from me. For to see your face, is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need" - Genesis 33:10,11 And because of his brother's persistence, Esau accepts Jacob's gift. Soon after, Esau would make an offer to join Jacob and his group, while they continue on towards the land of Seir. "Let us be on our way; I'll accompany you." Esau proposed. But Jacob had different plans, for he was headed to "Succoth" which was farther west and was located next to the River Jordan. And from there Jacob would cross the river and continue towards Shechem. Now keep in mind that Esau had settled in the "land of Seir," which was a mountainous region that was located southeast from the "land of Canaan" and past the Dead Sea. Understand that if Jacob was to head towards Seir with his brother, he would have disobeyed God for he was instructed by the Lord to head back home to the "land of Canaan" and take his rightful place as the new steward of the Abrahamic Covenant. Know that this was a great moment for these two brothers, for I have not read anywhere within the Sacred Record, that has them as close as they are during this recorded moment. Know that, for most of their lives they always seemed to be going against each other and be in some kind of competition. Now we find them close and being respectful towards each other. So I can understand why Jacob reacted the way that he did, when it came to turning his brother's offer down, in a somewhat deceitful way (I'll explain in a little bit). Now I want you to pay close attention to what Jacob had told Esau: "My lord knows 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. So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir." -- Genesis 33:13,14 Of course this was a lie, but I state that with great understanding on why Jacob went about it this way. Please have patience, I'll explain this viewpoint soon, but let's go a little further. After hearing what Jacob had to say, Esau responded by saying: "Then let me leave some of my men with you." But Jacob would insist: "But why do that? Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord." Understand that it's not that Esau didn't trust Jacob at this point... in actuality, it was because he was concerned. With Jacob traveling the way that they he was without protection, seemed like a very risky journey to Esau, being that the land had so many possible hidden dangers within it. But Esau did not, or would not have understood that the Most High God was providing protection for Jacob. So later that day Esau decided to head back to Mount Seir and Jacob headed towards Succoth (the name signifies 'booth'), which was a city that was located in the "tribe of Gad." He would build a place for himself there and shelters for his livestock, which was to be a temporary dwelling. Now after Jacob had done this, he would later travel to "Shalem" which was a city of Shechem. There, he would buy a plot of land for a hundred pieces of sliver from the "sons of Hamor," the father of Shechem and he'd settled there. Jacob would name this place, 'El-elohe-Israel' which meant - God the God of Israel. Now it's at this time, that I would like to explain why I'm not going to be too critical when it comes to Jacob lying to his brother - especially while they were in the midst of their long overdue, great moment of reconciliation. Remember that sometime before Esau was extremely upset with Jacob - because of what happened between them and their father. By Esau being born first, what Jacob had received from his father Isaac - was suppose to be Esau's destiny, or so it seemed... until he gave it away. Know that this was the very thing that had Esau so enraged with his brother, so much so, that he had vowed to kill him after their father had passed. So I can understand why Jacob did not want to remind Esau of this fact, by telling his brother that he was going home to take his proper position as the new steward of the Abrahamic covenant. Now does this mean that Jacob was right for lying? Of course not... and I'll be the first to state that he should have trusted God more. Know that I'm just pointing out that Jacob did it for peaceful motives and not deceitful ones. His heart was in the right place, but his trust in the Lord wasn't. Now that Jacob has settled in the "city of Shalem," how will this place treat him and his family? Let's just say that something happens to Jacob's daughter Dinah that puts the family in a very dangerous position. Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 56) Rachel the Thief 57) Jacob's Mistake 58) Laban's Pursuit 62) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE-> 63) Dinah the Daughter of Israel 
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