Read with Me
Genesis 32:1-8 (HCSB)
Jacob went on his way, and God’s angels met him. When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s camp.” So he called that place Mahanaim.
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He commanded them, “You are to say to my lord Esau, ‘This is what your servant Jacob says. I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves. I have sent this message to inform my lord, in order to seek your favor.’ ”
When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau; he is coming to meet you—and he has 400 men with him.” Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; he divided the people with him into two camps, along with the flocks, cattle, and camels. He thought, “If Esau comes to one camp and attacks it, the remaining one can escape.”
Listen with Me
Jacob had successfully escaped one threat, but he realized that he was moving directly toward another: his brother Esau. Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, had told Jacob that she would send someone to bring him home once his brother’s fierce anger over being cheated out of the blessing had subsided (Genesis 27:45). It had been more than twenty years, and no one had come yet. That could only mean that his brother was still angry.
God sent reassurance to Jacob in the form of a vision of guardian angels at Mahanaim, trying to show him that it was His power that had delivered him from Laban’s anger, and that God was continuing to protect him in fulfillment of His promise to him (Genesis 28:13-15). But even though Jacob saw the vision, he failed to see its significance. He noted that the two camps, his and that of the angels, had been in close proximity at that place.
As they re-entered the territory of Canaan, Jacob sent envoys to Esau. His main purpose was to extend an olive branch to his brother to see if it would be accepted.
But when the messengers returned, it was with distressing news. Not only was Esau coming to meet him, but he was also accompanied by a small army of 400 men. That represented a force far greater than what would be needed to kill Jacob and all his servants, and to take his wives and children as captives.
Jacob was in an impossible situation. He couldn’t simply go back the way he had come, returning to his servitude under Laban. That door had been closed tight. He was seemingly facing a certain death at Esau’s hand if he stayed put or moved forward. And even if he tried to escape by fleeing into some other part of the land, Esau’s 400 men would easily pick up his trail and catch up with him before he had gone very far.
Pray with Me
Father, Jacob really was facing a desperate situation. But a key part of his distress was the fact that, even twenty years after receiving the promise from You, he still didn’t know You or what You were capable of doing. In all the time he had lived in Haran, he had lived as if You were still living in Bethel, far away from him and all his struggles. Now, even though he was back in the land, he still believed that You were living in that stone pillar he had set up, far from being able to help him. The crisis did serve to make him re-examine what You had promised him, and what he had actually experienced in light of those promises, which was a very good thing. Help me, Lord, to simply live with You, in Your presence and power, so that You don’t have to use crises to get my attention. Amen.