Before Augustine became a Christian, he lived a life of sin. Then he became a changed man. When a woman of immorality and his former mistress saw Augustine, he passed by her. What are you doing? she asked, don’t you recognize me? It is I? Yes, Augustine said, but it is no longer I.
The man who fled from Esau 20 years earlier was not the same man. It was Jacob the deceiver who left. Now it was Israel who limped on ahead of his family to meet his brother. Esau and Jacob were not only brothers they were twins. Esau was the first born.
Jacob’s name literally means grasps the heal. His name figuratively means deceiver. When Isaac and Rebekah were married, they waited 20 years to conceive. Almost as long as their parents Abraham and Sarah waited before Isaac was conceived.
The twins jostled in Rebekah’s womb and she asked the Lord why this was happening to her. Jacob was born the second of twins, his twin brother Esau was the older. When Jacob and Rebekah were in the womb they jostled in Rebekah’s womb. Rebekah asked the Lord what was happening in her womb and the Lord spoke to Rebekah. The LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23)
The twins had very different personalities. Jacob was the quiet one who enjoyed the home life. Esau was the rugged outdoorsman, the hunter, a man’s man.
There were two ways Jacob incited Esau’s wrath. Jacob capitalized on Esau’s weakness and sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. He later deceived his father Isaac when he was almost completely blind to receive the blessing he intended to give to Esau.
After Jacob’s deceit Esau weeps and begs his father Isaac, to reverse the blessing. He cannot. Esau was not the kind of person that you wanted mad at you. Jacob must flee.
Jacob received the blessing not because of his deceit but in spite of it. The prophecy the Lord made to Rebekah was fulfilled. The older will serve the younger.
Jacob has his conversion experience at Bethel soon after he fled from Esau. We know that experience as Jacob’s Ladder. He had just lied, cheated and used the Lord’s name in vain for selfish purposes. Now when the Lord met him at Bethel, he vows to serve God and promises to tithe.
He was fleeing Esau when he left for Haran, but he also went to Haran for his wife. He meets Rachael and agrees with his uncle Laban to work 7 years in exchange for Marrying her. Laban deceived Jacob and forced Jacob to marry Leah. Ultimately Jacob worked 14 years to marry Rachael. Then another 6 years before God told Jacob to go back to his homeland.
Jacob slips away with his family, Rachael, Leah, eleven sons and incredible wealth in livestock. Laban chases Jacob down and confronts him. Jacob and Laban settle their differences and build an altar to God. The altar name means they made an agreement before God together.
Now Jacob does not need to look back. He can look ahead. The problem is that what he fled from 20 years earlier, the wrath of Esau, was still waiting for him there. Jacob’s conversion experience at Bethel does not eradicate the old nature. Jacob still often reverted back to the old deceiver.
Esau is waiting for Jacob with 400 men. At first Jacob takes a very cowardly approach. He send his family over across the River Jabbok in two groups ahead of him. He sends gifts and messengers to Esau, but he himself stays back alone. At least he is in desperate prayer as he waits behind.
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone (Genesis 32:22-24)
While Jacob is in a place of desperation and alone in prayer Jacob has an experience at Peniel. Jacob wrestles all night with a man. The emphasis of the account shifts. Jacob is not wresting a man, but this is the Lord. Jacob clings on and asks to be blessed.
Jacob has dealt with God. He is left limping with his hip socket torn. His name is changed from Jacob to Israel. Jacob called the place Peniel. It means he has seen the Lord face to face. Now that Jacob has dealt with God, come what may he is ready to meet Esau.
Now Jacob is not waiting behind. Now he goes on ahead of his family.
Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. 2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. (Genesis 33:1-3)
Hear comes Israel limping ahead. The limp was a reminder of the experience with God. He is not the same man who deceived Esau and ran away 20 years ago. He is no longer Jacob, now he is Israel. Now by the grace of God he will face Esau.
Israel himself went on ahead of his family to meet Esau and his 400 men. Israel bowed himself as he met Esau as was the custom. He had no reason to think Esau would run up to him, kiss him and weep.
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (Genesis 33:4-5)
The matter for Israel was in God’s hands. Esau responded favourably to his brother. If you are facing difficulties the way to face them is to settle the matter with God. Jacob wrestled with God all night before he came to this point.
Humble yourself before God in humility. Face courageously the problem. Jacob was limping, tired up all night wresting struggling with the Lord. The problem he faced melted away. Esau responded in love to the brother he hated for 20 years.
Prayer can break down the barriers that exist because of the results of sin. It was sin that made the brothers enemies. It was God’s grace that made the two enemies brothers.
Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. 9 But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” (Genesis 33:8-9)
Jacob was indeed a changed man. It was 20 years ago his brother’s wrath was upon him because of his selfish ways. He grabbed what he could and caused division. Now Israel comes limping to give his brother what he can.
Now the changed Jacob says:
Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. (Genesis 33:11)
Jacob no has contentment. Our view of material possessions is a big indicator of our heart before God. Jacob 20 years earlier vowed to tithe to God. He was a giver and not a grabber.
Jacob’s selfishness caused division. Israel’s generosity caused reconciliation. He knew God was in this.
No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Genesis 33:10)
The night before Jacob had seen the face of God. How was seeing big rough hairy Esau like seeing the face of God? We are said to be most like God when we forgive. Esau’s forgiveness made Jacob see the Lord in Esau’s face. The Lord changed Esau’s heart and Jacob saw it in his face.
Meet your troubles and problems not by the flesh. In faith spend time with God.
Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. (Genesis 33:11)
There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. (Genesis 33:20) This means the God of Israel is mighty. God is mighty enough to work in your situation. Let God almighty, the God of Israel, your God, work in your situation.
