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Sunday School Lesson
We are the source of some of the situations in our lives. When we must face this reality, the circumstances will probably hurt. The law of harvest (Galatians 6:7) has never been repealed nor deleted. Too often, people want to sow their wild oats, and then, they will pray for crop failure. Jacob was forced into selfimposed exile from his family, at the insistence of his mother, and with the directive of his father. Genesis 27:42-45; 28:1-5. While this young man was fleeing from circumstances of his own making, he had his first encounter with God - Jehovah. Genesis 28:12-15. This dream assured him of the fact of the care of the God whom his father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham, had served. As the result of this experience, "Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in the way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace: then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." Genesis 28:20-22. Jacob continued his journey, and "came into the land of the people of the east." Genesis 29:1. There, he found Laban, the brother of his mother. Genesis 29:10,13. While working for his uncle, he fell in love with Rachel, the younger of the two daughters. He worked seven years for the privilege of having Rachel for his wife. Genesis 29: 18. When he was to take his wife, his uncle gave him Leah, the older. Genesis 29:21-25. Laban then explained the custom of not giving the younger before the elder. After this, he was given Rachel to be his wife. Genesis 29:28. As was the custom, each of the daughters was given a handmaid. Genesis 29:24, 29. During the 20 years (Genesis 31:38) that Jacob worked for Laban, the wage of the son of Isaac allowed him to accumulate much personal wealth. This fact did not please the sons of Laban. Genesis 31:1. "And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not toward him as before." Genesis 31:2. At this point, Jacob received a message from God. We are not told of the details of this encounter, but the message was clear. "And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred, and I will be with thee." Genesis 31:3. In this case leaving was not easy. When Jacob informed his wives and family of his decision (Genesis 31:4,5) he began to make his personal preparation. Finally, "Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled." Genesis 31:20. We are told that "he fled with all that he had; and rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead. Genesis 31:21. Three days later, Laban learned of this fact. Genesis 31:22. The father-in-law pursued the son-in-law. After some negotiation in this confrontation, these men came to an agreement. Genesis 31:36-54. "And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them, and Laban departed, and returned unto his place." Genesis 31:55. After Laban left, "Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of the place Mahanaim." Genesis 32: 1. 2. At this time "Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom." Genesis 32:3. These messengers were given specific instructions."And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight." Genesis 32:4,5. The messengers did as they were told. "And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and 400 men with him." Genesis 32:6. This information caused Jacob to quickly devise a plan. "Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; And said, If Esau come to one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape." Genesis 32:6-8. From the divine perspective, Jacob was not yet prepared to meet his brother. This man needed a "complete overhaul." He recognized - in a direct way - the ways that God had been with him and blessed him. Genesis 32:9-12. Yet, there was more that needed to be done in the life of this man. We are told that "Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." Genesis 32:24. Jacob was persistent - "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Genesis 32:26b. The name of the son of Isaac was changed from Jacob to Israel. Genesis 33:27, 28. Not only was his name changed, but he had a new nature. After this divine encounter, "Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, with the 400 men." Genesis 33:1a. Now was time for action. "And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost." Genesis 33:1b,2. After the division of the goods and the family, Jacob "passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother." Genesis 33:3. Jacob was probably not expecting the action of his brother. "And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him: and they wept." Genesis 33:4. The family was introduced to this relative. Genesis 33:5-7. Esau asked about the flocks that had been sent. Jacob said, "These are to find grace in the sight of my lord." Genesis 33:8b. Esau declared, "I have enough, my brother, keep that thou hast unto thyself." Genesis 33:9. The former conniving brother insisted that his older brother receive the gift. "And he urged him, and he took it." Genesis 33:11c. Forgiveness of past sins and personal offenses can be known after a person has a personal encounter with the Lord.
Have you come to Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness for your sins? If not, please do so, today. Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 3:16.
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