(1) Jacob called himself the servant and called Esau his lord v.5, 8, 13, 14, 15.
Why?
To ask for the forgiveness of his brother
v.3 "he bowed toward the ground seven times as he approached his brother"
Why did he need to ask for forgiveness?
20 years ago, Esau said he would kill Jacob and Rebekah knew about that and sent Jacob away.
27:45 Stay there until your brother’s anger against you subsides and he forgets what you did to him. Then I’ll send someone to bring you back from there.
Now no one told Jacob to come back after 20 years. God told him to come back. Plus, Jacob came with 400 men. For what? Fighting?
It turned out that Esau forgave him and they both wept. v.4.
(2) the story could have ended in v.4, what was v.5-20 for?
Again, from the eyes of Esau it confirmed that God had blessed Jacob with many children v.5-7. From the time God had promised Abraham to have many descendants there were that many descendants until this time.
Then Esau pointed to the many herds that Jacob sent to him. The readers were reminded that God had been generous to Jacob v.8-11.
(3) Safely returned back to Canaan v.18. That was the prayer of Jacob in 28:21
"(If)...I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will become my God."
Now God had answered his prayer in a sense that Esau has accepted him v.8, 10, 15.
v.16 (NET) But Jacob traveled to Succoth. There are several reasons why Jacob chose not to go to Mt. Seir after Esau. First, as he said, his herds and children probably could not keep up with the warriors. Second, he probably did not fully trust his brother. The current friendliness could change, and he could lose everything. And third, God did tell him to return to his land, not Seir. But Jacob is still not able to deal truthfully, probably because of fear of Esau.
Reflection:
God is faith and He delivered what He promised. Jacob not only could escaped Laban and came home, but he got the forgiveness of Esau. He continued the covenant to Abraham and possessed the promised and got many children.
What is (are) your thanksgiving to God today? I also thanked God for the forgiveness I have from my family. For many years, I could not have the opportunity to meet one of my family member. Last year, we finally met. Now, no one will like to travel for at least a period of time. Looking back, I thank God for that opportunity.
Audrey
Why?
To ask for the forgiveness of his brother
v.3 "he bowed toward the ground seven times as he approached his brother"
Why did he need to ask for forgiveness?
20 years ago, Esau said he would kill Jacob and Rebekah knew about that and sent Jacob away.
27:45 Stay there until your brother’s anger against you subsides and he forgets what you did to him. Then I’ll send someone to bring you back from there.
Now no one told Jacob to come back after 20 years. God told him to come back. Plus, Jacob came with 400 men. For what? Fighting?
It turned out that Esau forgave him and they both wept. v.4.
(2) the story could have ended in v.4, what was v.5-20 for?
Again, from the eyes of Esau it confirmed that God had blessed Jacob with many children v.5-7. From the time God had promised Abraham to have many descendants there were that many descendants until this time.
Then Esau pointed to the many herds that Jacob sent to him. The readers were reminded that God had been generous to Jacob v.8-11.
(3) Safely returned back to Canaan v.18. That was the prayer of Jacob in 28:21
"(If)...I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will become my God."
Now God had answered his prayer in a sense that Esau has accepted him v.8, 10, 15.
v.16 (NET) But Jacob traveled to Succoth. There are several reasons why Jacob chose not to go to Mt. Seir after Esau. First, as he said, his herds and children probably could not keep up with the warriors. Second, he probably did not fully trust his brother. The current friendliness could change, and he could lose everything. And third, God did tell him to return to his land, not Seir. But Jacob is still not able to deal truthfully, probably because of fear of Esau.
Reflection:
God is faith and He delivered what He promised. Jacob not only could escaped Laban and came home, but he got the forgiveness of Esau. He continued the covenant to Abraham and possessed the promised and got many children.
What is (are) your thanksgiving to God today? I also thanked God for the forgiveness I have from my family. For many years, I could not have the opportunity to meet one of my family member. Last year, we finally met. Now, no one will like to travel for at least a period of time. Looking back, I thank God for that opportunity.
Audrey
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