Reading Through The Bible: Number 78
Many years after his deceitful actions, Jacob still fears that his brother will carry out his promise to kill him for stealing the birthright blessing. So he sends a delegation to let Esau know that he is on his way home. However, his fears are added to when they return with the message that Esau is on his way to meet him with 400 men!!
Immediately Jacob turns to God for help:
Genesis 32:9-12 tells of his prayer: “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: 10I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. 11Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. 12For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”
Now, as the confrontation looms, he makes wise plans to appease his brother’s wrath. Generosity is the weapon he chooses. In separated droves he sends his brother wave after wave of gifts designed to show his repentance: “two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals.”
After such a huge gift, he sends his family but he stays behind and what happens changes his life forever! But more of that tomorrow!!
Have a great day!!