Jacob's Name Changed Series

December 07, 2024

83 years ago today, the empire of Japan attacked the Hawaiian island of Oahu at Pearl Harbor, Hickam Army-Airfield and Wheeler Army-Airfield. The next day President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to Congress:

….Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…… Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

And with that, the United States finally entered the 2nd World War.

At that time, America was an isolationist country. Even though war in Europe had been raging for over 2 years and in Asia for over 10 years, most Americans remained steadfast that they did not want to become involved with international politics, especially war, but December 7th changed all that. Now the US had been directly targeted. The “sleeping giant” was awake and, as Admiral Yamamoto feared, was filled with a terrible resolve.

When the war finally ended in September of 1945 the Allies (US, England, USSR) were victorious, but an estimated 85-95 million people worldwide – including both military and civilian – were dead.

Sin exacts a very high price.

That is the hard truth that Jacob has been learning….. sin exacts a very high price.

When we left Jacob last week, he had finally cut ties with Laban. The 2 men had come to an uneasy truce and parted ways. But now Jacob had a new problem – Esau.

• Ellen G White (PP 195.1) - ….. it was not without many misgivings that he retraced the road which he had trodden as a fugitive twenty years before. His sin in the deception of his father was ever before him. He knew that his long exile was the direct result of that sin, and he pondered over these things day and night, the reproaches of an accusing conscience making his journey very sad.

It seems that for the past 20 years, Jacob has mostly been relying on himself – at least we don’t have much of a record of him consulting God before making decisions. Today was no different. Feeling that he must do something to secure his own safety Jacob sent messengers ahead and instructed them to give Esau the following message:

“Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, menservants and maidservants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes."

Jacob tactfully placed himself in the subservient position – noting that he already had plenty of wealth and was not there to take what Esau had = he was no threat to Esau. He did this, hoping that it would go far in turning away Esau’s fear and anger. Unfortunately, the messengers brought no message of friendship from Esau instead saying, “Esau received your message and he is on his way to meet you – with 400 men.”

Jacob was greatly afraid – he couldn’t go back to Laban and he had no ability to defend his family.

He divided his family, flocks and herds into 2 groups. His thinking was this; If Esau attacks one group the other group may escape.

Then in humiliation and repentance pleaded for divine protection:

"O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.’”

Finally, the God of Abraham and Isaac had become the God of Jacob.

Hoping to atone for the wrong he had done to Esau, Jacob sent 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 female camels along with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 male donkeys on ahead of the main caravan. He put servants in charge of each flock/herd and gave them the same instructions. “When you meet Esau and he asks you who owns the animals, you are to tell him that they belong to your master, Jacob, he has sent them to you as a gift, and he is coming behind us.”

Then Jacob sent his family across the Jabbok River. He was now alone.