Today's reading brings the long feud between Jacob and Esau which began at an early age to a climax. Even in the womb, these boys jockeyed for position. The struggle was so intense that their mother, Rebekah, thought it was necessary to ask God for an explanation.
God informed her that two “nations” were in her womb and that the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). This jockeying for position continued at their birth. Although Esau emerged as the firstborn, Jacob was clutching at his heel even as he left the womb. This prenatal rivalry was later compounded by parental favoritism (Genesis 25:27-28).
As the boys grew older, the tension mounted. On one occasion, Jacob manipulated Esau into trading his birthright for stew (Genesis 25:29–34). On another, Jacob and Rebekah deceived Isaac into conferring his fatherly blessing on Jacob instead of Esau (Genesis 27:1–40). This was the breaking point in the brothers’ relationship. Having been tricked twice, Esau planned to kill Jacob after their father passed away (Genesis 27:41).
This prompted Jacob to flee northward. His relocation gave Esau the time and space he needed to cool off (Genesis 27:42–45). But the plan took much more time than Jacob had anticipated. Laban, his father-in-law, deceived him into staying twice as long as he had planned. Then Jacob stuck around for several more years to gain enough wealth to head back home. So after 20 years of self-exile (Genesis 31:38), Jacob finally began his perilous journey home.
Read the passage to learn how years of tension created pain, anger, hatred and fear. Notice what God did in Jacob's life to prepare him for his encounter with Esau.
Questions to ponder or discuss...
1. After 20 years why was Jacob concerned about meeting Esau (Genesis 32:6-7,11)?
2. What did Jacob do when he saw Esau (Genesis 33:3)? What did Esau do (v. 4)? What did Esau say when Jacob tried to give him gifts (vv. 8-11)? How do you think Esau's feelings changed toward Jacob?
3. How can this story help you understand how to deal with tensions in relationships?
Ways to pray...
1. Lord, help us to understand what you did in Jacob's heart when he wrestled you. Lord would you bring that kind of blessing to our life and may we be changed as Jacob was as he walked with a limp. Thank you God.
The Bux-Mont & Telford Campuses of the Penn Valley Church Multi-site Network are participating in the e100 Challenge, a 100-day Bible reading program. True revival comes from prayer and knowing the Word of God. We can only live the life God intended if we know what He says about it. Join us as we read through this plan and grow deeper in our knowledge of God's Word.
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