'''CHAPTER SIXTEEN: JOURNEY TO CANAAN'''
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
JOURNEY TO CANAAN
Day by day, Jacob and his caravan were getting closer to Canaan.
But first they had to travel through the land of Seir and the countryside of Edom. Jacob worried that this could mean trouble for them.
He explained to his men, “To get to Canaan, we must first cross my brother Esau’s territory. And Esau is the reason why I had left Canaan in the first place.”
He sent some messengers to find his brother and tell him that Jacob was about to enter his land with many possessions.
“And tell Esau that I hope to find favor in his sight” (Genesis 32:3-5). He wanted to know whether or not his brother still wanted to take his life.
The messengers soon returned to Jacob with alarming news: “We found your brother and gave him your message. Now he is riding out to meet you with 400 men!”
Jacob began to worry. “Esau doesn’t need 400 men with him just to greet me.”
So he divided his caravan into two groups. He reasoned that if one of the groups were attacked, the other could escape (verses 6-8).
Then, wisely, Jacob prayed to God for protection. He told his Creator that he knew he did not deserve His great mercy and protection.
He also reminded God of His promise to bring him safely back home to Canaan, and to bless and increase his descendants (Gen 32:9-12).
That night, Jacob took 550 of his best livestock and told his servants to take them ahead of him. “When you see my brother, tell him that these animals are my gift to him. Also say that I am riding in behind them.”
Jacob thought that this would smooth any bad feelings Esau may still have had toward him (Gen 32:13-20).
Jacob Wrestles With God
Jacob ordered the two groups of his caravan to move on ahead of him. That night, he camped alone so that he could pray to God.
He knew that the only way he could have success in meeting with Esau was if God stepped in (Genesis 32:21).
Then a strange thing happened. A mysterious man suddenly appeared and grabbed Jacob.
The two men wrestled each other throughout the long night. When the sun started coming up, the attacker wanted Jacob to let go of him. Jacob refused.
He knew that the “man” was really the Messenger of the Eternal, also known as the Word.
The Messenger of the Eternal touched Jacob’s hip, causing him to feel great pain. Still, Jacob would not let Him go. He knew that God was testing his character.
When he was younger, Jacob had followed the ways of lies and Jacob wrestles with a mysterious “man.” deceiving people. But during the last 20 years, he had slowly learned to reject his carnal nature and put his trust in God. He finally understood that the Eternal would solve his problems.
When God sets up His kingdom on the earth, all people will learn to put their trust in Him.
The Messenger of the Eternal said, “Let Me go. The morning sun is coming up.” But Jacob still refused.
The Messenger of the Eternal had the power to easily break free from his grip—like an elephant breaking free from an ant! He wanted to give Jacob a chance to prove himself. He also wanted to teach him that following God and rejecting carnal nature and Satan’s attitudes is not easy. It is long, hard work that takes a lifetime to master.
Jacob said to Him, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
So the Messenger of the Eternal blessed Jacob, changing his name to Israel, which means “he struggles with God” and “prince with God.”
After the wrestling match ended, Jacob called the place Peniel, which means “Face of God.” He knew that he had just wrestled with God face-to-face.
Then, still feeling pain in his hip, Jacob limped away (Gen 32:24-31).
The Brothers Meet
Jacob returned to the caravan group that had his wives and children.
Suddenly, he saw dust clouds appear across the horizon.
Riders were coming!
Jacob divided his wives and children into groups. He put the handmaids and their sons up front. Then Leah and her children in the middle.
Then Rachel and Joseph went last.
“If any trouble happens, Rachel and Joseph will see the least of it,” he reasoned. He loved Rachel more than any woman on the face of the earth.
Then Jacob left his family and went out to meet the approaching riders.
He knew that it was Esau and his 400 men (Genesis 33:1-3). As he neared them, Jacob bowed to the ground several times. He wanted Esau to know that he was coming as a servant and a friend, not as a deceiver.
Esau said nothing. He climbed down from his camel and ran over to Jacob…and hugged and kissed him! Together again, the two brothers wept (Gen 33:4). God had answered Jacob’s prayers for success.
Esau pointed to the women and children behind him. “Who are these with you?”
“My wives and children. I will call them to you.”
The women and children walked toward Esau and bowed before him. Esau was very impressed by their respect for him (Gen 33:5-7).
He then asked Jacob about the 550 pieces of livestock he had passed on his way to see him.
Jacob explained, “They are my gift to you.”
Esau thanked him but said that he already had enough possessions.
Jacob urged him to take the livestock. Finally, Esau gave in and accepted the gift.
Esau wanted to escort his brother to his home in Seir, but Jacob said, “Your men ride faster than my family and livestock. Go on ahead, and my caravan will follow at a slower pace” (Gen 33:8-14).
Entering Canaan
After they had said their goodbyes and parted peacefully, Jacob headed north toward Succoth. There he built himself a house and made booths, or shelters, for his livestock.
Then he traveled to Shechem, a city in Canaan, and bought some land. He also built an altar. He called it El Elohe Israel—“God, the God of Israel” (Genesis 33:16-20).
Jacob’s children were becoming young adults now. Unfortunately, most of them got involved in worldly pursuits when they should have kept their minds on the things of God.
For example, Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, got mixed up with the wrong crowd—idol-worshippers who followed pagan traditions. This led to Dinah getting into some terrible trouble. Enraged, her brothers Simeon and Levi did some horrible things to avenge their sister.
When one puts up with sin, it always leads to more sin, as well as heartache, pain—and even death!
Rachel Dies
Obeying God, Jacob and his caravan went to Bethel. There he built an altar to God, and the Eternal renewed His covenant with Jacob (Genesis 35:1-5).
Leaving Bethel, they headed for Ephrath. But Rachel died while giving birth to another son. He was named Benjamin.
Rachel was buried in what is today called Bethlehem (Gen 33:16-19). It would be the same place where Jesus Christ would be born almost 2,000 years later (Matthew 2:6).
Back toTHE STORY OF THE BIBLE VOLUME ONE