SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 33
“But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.” (Genesis 33:9-11)
“After Jacob came from Paddan Aram,[b] he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.” (Genesis 33:18)
JACOB MEETS ESAU (vs. 1-20)
When Jacob saw Esau came with his 400 men, he divided their children among Leach, Rachel and the two maidservants. He put the maidservants and their children in front. Leah and her children next and Rachel and Joseph last. he bowed to Esau 8 times when he approached his brother.
Esau ran to meet Jacob. He embraced and kissed him and they wept. Then Esau asked: “What do you mean by all these drones I met? “To fin favor in your eyes, my Lord’ he said. But Esau refused and said that he already had plenty. Due to Jacob insistence, Esau accepted it. So both of them started on their way. Esau went back to seir while Jacob went to Succoth where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock.
Jacob arrived safely at the city of of Shechem in Canaan anc camped there. He also bought the plot of ground where he pitched his tents from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem for 100 pieces of silver. He set up an altar there and called it EL ELOHE ISRAEL.
THOUGHTS:
Jacob (the heel-catcher) was given a new name “Israel” (the prince with God). However, in an attempt to appease Esau, he used several scheming devices: bowing, bribery and lying and moved to another direction. God’s people are supposed to have a new life in Christ. However most fail to live up to their new life because they don’t claim what they have by faith.