Bible Study Online Article
Jacob has now come full circle within his journey. The promise bearer is now just moments away from reuniting with his twin brother Esau. The last time they were around each other, Jacob had stolen Esau's special blessing from their father Isaac, through trickery and deceit. Because of this, Esau had vowed that he would kill Jacob. Soon later, Jacob would leave his father's household to avoid his brother's wrath. From this point forward he 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. From a distance, Jacob would see Esau approaching with his four-hundred men. The promise bearer would start by dividing his children and placing them with their mothers. He would put the maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah along with their kids in the first group. Next he would put Leah and her children in the group to follow, and Rachel and her son Joseph would make up the rear. Jacob would hurry to the front and meet his brother first. He would greet him by bowing down to his brother seven times as he approached. When Esau had seen his brother coming towards him bowing, he would run towards Jacob and embrace him. They would hug and kiss each other as they both began to weep. "Who are these people with you," Esau would ask Jacob as he looked up and saw everybody. "They are the children that God has graciously given your servant," Jacob would answer. 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. 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" Jacob insists. 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 further west next to the River Jordan, and from there he would cross the river and continue towards Shechem. Esau was 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. If Jacob was to head towards Seir with his brother, he would have disobeyed God, for he was instructed to head back home to the land of Canaan and take his rightful place as the new promise bearer. This was a great moment for these two brothers, for I have not read anywhere within the telling of scriptures, that has them as close as they are during this moment. For most of their lives they always seemed to be going against each other in some kind of competition and now we find them close and 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 later). "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," Jacob told his brother. Of course this was a lie, but I say that with great understanding on why Jacob went about it this way. I'll explain in a little bit, but let's go a little farther. "Then let me leave some of my men with you," Esau would offer. "But why do that? Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord," Jacob would insist. Note: It's not that Esau did not trust Jacob at this point; it was because he was concerned. With Jacob traveling the way that they he was without protection, seemed very dangerous to Esau. But Esau did not or would not have understood that the one true God was providing protection for Jacob. So later that day Esau headed 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. Jacob 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 settled there. He would name this place, 'El-elohe-Israel' which means - God the God of Israel. Note: I'll like to explain why I understand why Jacob lied to his brother, in the midst of their great moment of reconciliation. Esau was extremely upset with Jacob, because he was declared the new promise bearer over him. By Esau being born first, this was suppose to be his destiny, and it was... until he gave it away. This was the very thing that had Esau, so enraged with his brother, so much so, that he had vowed to kill him. So I can understand why Jacob did not want to remind him of this fact, by telling Esau that he was going home to take his proper position as the new promise bearer. Does this mean that Jacob was right for lying? Of course not... once again he should have trusted God more. I'm just pointing out that he did it for peaceful motives and not deceitful ones.
Start at: Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 56) Rachel the Thief 57) Jacob's Mistake 58) Laban's Pursuit 62) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 63) Dinah the Daughter of Israel  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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