1. Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2. When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is the camp of God!" So he named that place Mahanaim.
3. Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4. He instructed them: "This is what you are to say to my master Esau: 'Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now.
5. 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.' "
6. When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."
7. In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.
8. He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."
9. Then Jacob prayed, "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,'
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.' "
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
It seems clear that Jacob is sorry for what he has done to his brother Esau. Jacob's worries and fear is shown honestly to God in his prayers as he remembers God's promise.
Again it reminds of my faith. I know God keeps His promise but do I keep my words that I made to God?
Jacob demonstrates his unwavering faith in God even in the face of extreme danger and adversity. Perhaps more remarkable is Jacob's continued gratefulness to God for all that God has given him. Jacob does not become suddenly possessive (afraid to lose his worldy possessions) and thus reveal any underlying self-centeredness -- his faith is so deep that he is not shaken by either his successes (in working for Laban) or his looming losses (at the hands of Esau) and we see how he truly believes that everything he has is by the grace of God.
Post a Comment