Genesis 33 - Unexpected Grace: Jacob Meets Esau -The Mysteries of God's Word

Can a deeply fractured relationship truly find healing through unexpected forgiveness? Explore the remarkable story of Jacob and Esau as they transition from estranged siblings to embracing brothers in Genesis 33. We capture the tense moments leading up to their reunion, focusing on Jacob's strategic yet anxious preparations, fearing hostility from Esau and his 400 men. The surprising twist comes with the power of humility and divine intervention as Esau, contrary to all fears, greets Jacob with open arms and tearful affection. This powerful narrative not only highlights the dramatic transformation of their relationship but also emphasizes the timeless message of reconciliation and the unforeseen power of grace.

As Jacob and Esau part ways, we venture into Jacob's subsequent journey, unraveling his wise decision to prioritize his family's needs by traveling separately. From building temporary shelters in Succoth to his significant purchase of land in Shechem, Jacob’s actions reflect both practical wisdom and spiritual dedication. We dive into the historical significance of this land, initially acquired by his grandfather Abram, and the altar Jacob constructs there, symbolizing his ongoing journey of faith and the fulfillment of God’s promises. This episode offers a reflective look at how ancient stories of reconciliation and faith continue to resonate in our lives today.

Chapters

• 0:14 Jacob and Esau Reconciliation and Departure
• 9:09 Jacob's Settlement in Shechem

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:14

Welcome again to another episode of the Mysteries of God's Word. Today we're in Genesis, chapter 33, where Jacob meets Esau, starting in verse 1,. And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked and behold, esau was coming and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants and he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children and Rachel and Joseph. Last of all, he himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times until he came near to his brother.

Speaker 1: 0:59

In our first three verses we read that sometime after daybreak and Jacob's wrestling match with the angel of the Lord, jacob had crossed that ford at Jabbok River and he joined up with his family. And not long after he joined up with his family he saw his brother coming in the distance with 400 men. We see that Jacob had some time to divide his family and his livestock up into groups. Jacob divides his family into three groups in case there's an attack. Maybe if one group is attacked others can escape. The group in front is the two female servants with their children. This would be Bilhah, dan, naphtali, zilpah, Gad and Asher. The second group which was behind that was Leah with her children. So this would be Leah. That was Leah with her children. So this would be Leah, reuben, simeon Levi, judah, issachar and Zebulun. And then finally, the third group which was in back was just Rachel and Joseph.

Speaker 1: 2:12

And then we see that Jacob goes on before his family to protect them and try to appease what he perceived as his brother's wrath. So Jacob bows down to the ground a total of seven times, showing his submission towards Esau each time as he drew closer and closer to his brother Verse 4,. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced, embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him and they wept. And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said who are these with you? Jacob said the children whom God has graciously given your servant. Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last, joseph and Rachel drew near and they bowed down.

Speaker 1: 3:12

In these four verses we see that when Jacob got close to his brother Esau, esau ran to meet him. This probably surprised Jacob Very. Contrary to his expectations, esau completely had softened toward him and was showing the warmest of affections Esau is so excited to see him that he runs to meet him, not being able to control his emotion. It says Esau embraced him and then he fell on his neck and kissed him. This is a picture of Esau placing his head on Jacob's shoulders and next to his neck, kissing him and weeping. It's a picture of how the Lord had dramatically changed Esau's heart towards Jacob. What a difference we see here in Esau. Twenty years ago Esau wanted to kill Jacob. Now he's so happy to see him. He's weeping and kissing him. And Esau says who are these with you? So Esau asks Jacob about his family and Jacob gives glory to God for the family that he has been given. And then Jacob's family draws closer, each group, one at a time, and Jacob begins to introduce them to Esau.

Speaker 1: 4:28

Verse 8,. Esau said what do you mean by all of this company that I met? Jacob answered To find favor in the sight of my Lord. But Esau said I have enough, brother, keep what you have for yourself. Jacob said no, please, if I found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. Jacob said because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have enough. Thus he urged him and he took it.

Speaker 1: 5:15

In verses 8 through 11, we see that Esau wants to know Jacob's intentions in all of these droves of animals that he had sent to give to Esau prior to Jacob meeting with him. Jacob is honest with him and says I'm seeking your favor and your good graces, and Esau replies but I have enough, brother, keep what is yours. Here it is revealed to us that all of Jacob's efforts were unnecessary. All of Jacob's efforts were unnecessary. All of these droves of animals that Jacob sent in an effort to change his brother's heart were not what changed his brother's heart. It was the Lord who was in control the whole time. But Jacob still insists. He says no, please, insisting that Esau accept the gift to confirm that he has indeed found favor in his brother's sight. And in doing this Jacob shows us he understands a biblical principle that building strong relationships is more important than having financial stability. Verse 12,. But Jacob said to him my Lord knows that the children are frail and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they're driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. Let my Lord pass on ahead of his servant and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and the pace of the children until I come to my Lord in Seir.

Speaker 1: 7:03

In these three verses we see that Esau proposes they should journey on together now that they've met up and Esau believes he should lead the way. Esau, a man of the world, would want to press on quickly, using force to stop anyone who would stand against him or his brother. And while Esau now doesn't appear to have any animosity toward his brother, he still had a very different way of doing things and looking at things than Jacob. And Jacob, a man of God, lived a life much differently and at a different pace than Esau. And Jacob wisely proposes that they go back separately. Jacob also understands how hard-pressed his family and flocks already are after the many days of fleeing from Laban and then living in fear of his brother Esau. Jacob tells Esau that he should go on ahead of him. He will come later and catch up with him in his home at Seir. It's interesting that Jacob tells him this, because it appears once again that Jacob tends to be a little bit of a trickster here, because when Esau is actually gone, jacob turns back north rather than going south to Seir. Jacob crosses back over the Jabbok and goes to Succoth and then later heads to Shechem.

Speaker 1: 8:33

Perhaps Jacob was hoping that one day he would come to Esau in Seir, but he certainly was not upfront about that when he was talking with Esau Verse 15. So Esau said Let me leave with you some of my people who are with me. But he said, what need is there? Let me find favor in your sight, o Lord. So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. But Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is Succoth.

Speaker 1: 9:10

We don't know exactly why Esau wanted to leave some people with Jacob, perhaps to protect his brother, or perhaps because he knew his brother Jacob very well and detected that his brother Jacob wasn't completely being honest with him. In any case, jacob said there was no need for him to leave men, and Esau and all of his men headed back to Seir. But Jacob went to Succoth. Now Succoth was north of the Jabbok river and there at Succoth Jacob built temporary shelters for his family and his livestock to give them respite from their long, hard journey thus far Verse 18,.

Speaker 1: 9:52

And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan on his way from Paddan Aram and he camped before the city and from the sons of Hamar, shechem's father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. There he erected an altar and called it El Elohi Israel, which means God, the God of Israel. When Jacob came outside the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, he came to a place of safety once again. Shechem is an area 40 miles north of Jerusalem. It's where his grandfather Abram built an altar to God when he first stopped in Canaan, way back in Genesis 12.6.

Speaker 1: 10:46

Here, at Shechem, jacob purchases a piece of land and begins to settle. The piece of land that Jacob purchases was originally purchased by Abram, his grandfather we learn that in Acts 7.16, perhaps even when he first came into the Promised Land. But it must have reverted back to the people of Hamor, which is now why Jacob repurchased it from the sons of Hamar for a hundred pieces of money. Later, jacob will give this land to his son, joseph, and Joseph will be buried here on this land, which will stay in the family and, much like his grandfather, abram built an altar here. Now Jacob builds an altar and worships the Lord, the God of Israel. Thank you for joining me this week and God bless you.