Genesis Bible Study

Genesis Bible Study

Lesson 27: Jacob Prepares To Meet Esau – Genesis 32

 

(Jacob at Mahanaim – Genesis 32:1-2) After he departed from Laban Jacob made his way toward Canaan. As he got close, “angels of God met him.” This is significant for several reasons. First, in Genesis 31:3 the Lord said “I will be with you.” So, this is a visible reminder that God was with Jacob as he travelled. Second, the name Mahanaim means “two camps” (see the note on page 55). Jacob was not accompanied by just one angel, but God’s presence was manifested as an entire host of angels. This will be significant when Esau comes to meet Jacob with a host of 400 men.

(Jacob’s Messengers Sent to Esau – Genesis 32:3-8) Despite the assurance Jacob received from God’s angels he still felt it prudent to approach Esau carefully. Remember that Jacob fled because Esau planned to kill Jacob once Isaac died (Genesis 27:41). Notice that Jacob tried to strike a very conciliatory tone; he referred to Esau as lord and himself as servant. What do you think Jacob is trying to accomplish with his message? In what sense to Jacob’s words “undo” the blessing that Jacob stole?

Notice also that Jacob called himself an “alien” with Laban even though Laban was his uncle. Why do you think Jacob felt he was an alien while living in Haran with Laban? What separated Jacob and Laban?

In verse 6 we find Esau’s response to Jacob’s message: Esau was coming to meet Jacob and he was bringing 400 men! How do you think Jacob received the news? What do you think were Esau’s intentions?

Whatever Esau’s intentions, Jacob was “greatly afraid” and prepared for the worst. He divided “the people that were with him … into two companies” think that one company might escape if Esau attacked. The division into two “camps” also recalls the name “Mahanaim” which indicated that the God had provided an army of angel to accompany Jacob. How is God watching over Jacob at this moment?

(Jacob’s Prayer – Genesis 32:9-12) Jacob’s other response to the news that Esau was coming was to pray to God and remind God that he is returning to Canaan in response to God’s command.

Jacob began his prayer by reminding God (and himself) that God began the relationship with Jacob and his family with Abraham and continued the relationship with Isaac. While it is not explicitly stated, Jacob was probably also recalling the promises that God made to Abraham and Isaac. In the same verse Jacob also reminded God that God promised to do him “good” if he returned to Canaan.  Why was it important for Jacob to begin his prayer with a reminder of what God had done in the past and of the promises God had made to Jacob? Who was really being reminded of God’s words? Why was it even more important that Jacob remember God’s words? What promises has God made to us? How can we incorporate them into our prayers?

In verse 10 Jacob praised God for his “steadfast love” and “faithfulness.” Again, these words serve to remind Jacob of who God is and how God has watched over him (and his family). Jacob also reminded himself that he was unworthy of all that God had done for him. Why was this type of confession important for Jacob? He then thanked God that he had increased from a lone traveler with a staff into two companies. How can we incorporate praise, confession and thanksgiving into our prayers?

Verse 11 is Jacob’s direct petition to God – “deliver me, please, from the hand of Esau.” Notice that Jacob asked for more than personal deliverance; he asked for God to deliver “the mothers, with the children.” Also, notice that Jacob does not ask for the destruction of Esau, only deliverance for himself and his family. Why is this significant? Do you think this indicated a change in Jacob? What specific petitions should we include in our prayers?

In verse 12 Jacob ended his prayer in the same we be began it, by reminding God of God’s promises made to Jacob. Why was it important to conclude in this way? Who needed this reminder most?

In his prayer Jacob was clearly asking for deliverance from his immediate situation – deliverance from Esau. However, his prayer also served as a reminder to Jacob that God had been with him (and his ancestors) and that God had promised to “do good” to Jacob and his children. How do you think Jacob felt after offering this prayer? What would happen if we modeled our prayers after Jacob’s prayer?

(Jacob’s Gifts to Esau – Genesis 32:13-21) After praying for God to deliver him, Jacob prepared a “present” for his brother. Clearly Jacob was very wealthy if he could give over 550 animals to Esau. Notice that Jacob does more than simply send Esau a present; he staggered the deliveries so Esau received them in small pieces. How do you think Esau responded when he received the gifts? Do you think they softened his mood?

Obviously Jacob feared for his life (see verse 11), but in verse 20 Jacob said “perhaps he will accept me.” What was Jacob hoping for in this verse. What would it mean for Esau to “accept” Jacob?

(Jacob’s Family Crossed the Jabbok – Genesis 32:22-23) The last people to cross into Canaan were Jacob’s wives and children. However, Jacob remained behind. Why do you think Jacob wanted to spend the night alone and outside Canaan?

(Jacob’s Wrestling – Genesis 32:24-32) This section is one of the most intriguing passages in Genesis both because of what it says and also what it leaves unsaid. In many ways this passage serves as a closing bracket to the story of Jacob in Haran. As Jacob left Canaan he encountered God in a dream and received a promise from God that God would watch over him and bring him back to the land of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 28:10-22). Before he can return to Canaan, Jacob must again meet God.

There is some ambiguity about Jacob’s wrestling opponent. In verse 24 we are told “a man wrestled with him.” Yet, by the end of the passage (verses 28 and 30) it becomes evident that this is no mere “man” but God manifested in human appearance. Why do you think the text is ambiguous about this? When do you think Jacob realized the true identity of his opponent?

In verse 25 the “man” is not able to “prevail against Jacob,” so he resorted to injuring Jacob. What does this say about Jacob and his relationship with God? Why did Jacob struggle against God? Why was it necessary for Jacob to be “injured” in this struggle? How does this mirror our own struggles with God? Do we too need to be injured before we can accept God?

In verse 26, Jacob’s opponent demands that Jacob release him because “the day is breaking.” The belief was that a person could not see the face of God and live. So, the “man” demand to be released is as much to protect Jacob as to hide his identity. So, by continuing to hold on and demanding a blessing, Jacob is risking death. Why was this blessing so important to Jacob that he was willing to risk death?

The “blessing” that Jacob receives is a new name, Israel. The text tells us that this name means “the one who strives with God.” Obviously, this new name reflects the wrestling match, but it also describes Jacob’s new relationship with God. We usually think that close relationships are based on love, but they can also be built on struggle. What does a relationship built on struggle look like? Where have you struggled with God and how does this struggle influence your relationship with God?

Notice that Jacob’s opponent will not reveal his name. Some commentators (see the note on page 56) claim that this is so Jacob will not gain power over him. Another possibility is that God was waiting until a more appropriate time to reveal his name. What other possibilities can you suggest?

Notice that even after he received the blessing, we are not told that Jacob released God. So, in some sense, Jacob/Israel continued to struggle with God for the rest of his life.

Throughout this passage we have been focusing on how Jacob was changed by his encounter with God. Remember that God was a willing participant in the struggle with Jacob/Israel, and that God was also changed by the encounter. How does the word struggle define Israel’s relationship with God? What does it means to say that God is bound to struggle with humanity? How does this word define our relationship with God?

While we will follow Jacob and his sons for the remainder of Genesis, this encounter marks a change in his life. He will become far less active in the events around him. Think back to the first time we met Jacob in Genesis 25:26 and he was grasping Esau’s heel. How did Jacob change over the years as he went from the one who “supplants” to the one who struggles with God?

In Genesis 17:11 the Lord gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. We remarked how that left an indelible mark in the flesh of Abraham’s descendants. In this passage Jacob received another “mark;” he was left limping because of the injury he sustained at God’s hand. Supposedly this was something that he carried for the rest of his life. Notice how the prohibition against eating the “thigh muscle that is on the hip socket” serves a similar purpose – it forces people to recall this event every time they butcher an animal for meat. How do the modern descendants of Israel continue to struggle with God?

One word we have not talked much about in this passage is “face.” In verse 20, Jacob was worried how Esau would receive him when he saw his face. In verse 30, Jacob said “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” How did seeing God’s face prepare Jacob for seeing Esau’s face?

 

Next Class

Lesson 28: Jacob Meets Esau and Settles in Canaan