Genesis 32 - 35

Jacob's Return
Jacob's odyssey comes full circle when he leaves Laban to return to Canaan and face Esau. Two things stand out:

1. In spite of the promise of God's protection the Bible state in 32:7 "he was terrified" when learning that Esau was waiting with 400 men.
2. His first step after being fearful was "He divided his household."

Jacob was a self-made man, relying on his wits, his acumen as a businessman, and his drive to be the blessed one of God. God had promised in 22:17 to protect the descendants of Abraham. In 32:1 the angels of God meet Jacob as he begins his journey home. Yet, upon hearing the news of Esau, he is fearful. There is still a part of him that wants to rely on himself instead of God.

His prayer in 32:9-12 reflects his trepidation and desire for God's help, yet he still takes steps on his own to protect his own. He divides his household, thinking that Esau would not be able to attack it all.

His preparation for meeting Esau is meticulous in its detail. He sends herds of animals with specific deceptive instructions to the shepherds. He lines his family up in a specific order: Servant of Leah and her children, servant of Rachel and her children, Leah and her children, Rachel, then Joseph. This had to have worked against Joseph later on when his brothers were murderously jealous of him.

The actual meeting with Esau is anticlimatic, but even after it is clear that Esau has no harm in store for Jacob, and even after it is obvious that the Lord has answered Jacob's prayer, Jacob still reverts to his old deceptive ways in 33:17-19, telling Esau he will follow him to Seir, then traveling to Succoth instead.

As we will see later, Jacob reaps deception from his own sons for the deception he has sown.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.