Jacob and Esau

Genesis 32, 33:1-20

Jacob is heading home and Esau is on his way to meet him. What kind of welcome awaits? Will it be a welcome or will it be an angry meeting? Jacob talks with God and calls him the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and then we see that he recognizes God has been with him, when he says: "I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me..."

Jacob plans for this meeting carefully, yet he goes ahead even fearfully; depending on the promises of God to him. Here Jacob dreams again as we read about yesterday, when Jacob recognized he stood on Holy ground. Today Jacob strives with God for a blessing. He does not let go until he gains the promise from the angel of the Lord (or is it the Lord?). This is what Jacob hears: "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."

 Jacob called the place Peniel-the face of God. That is quite a name-it is quite a place. And Jacob recognized God with him. But Jacob was not unchanged. He had a new name, and a limp.

But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept… Jacob said, " if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.”

The two brothers have been long separated, and Jacob left in fear for his life, now his return brings a joyful reunion. What wonderful things have happened to them separately that they can now come together and embrace and give thanksgiving to God!

Somehow I think that I could learn from this, this letting go of grudges, this seeking the face of God, this striving with God until I am able to understand His plan. God says to Jacob you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed. Jacob who was grasping at his birth at the heel of his brother, Jacob who tricked Isaac to give a blessing, Esau who went away angry and bitter, determined to do what his father detested…yet here they are together and embracing.

What kind of striving is it to strive with God? How shall I go forward seeking His face? This is a question for me today.

See you tomorrow.

-maggie