• Home
  • About Us
  • Bible Study
  • Media
  • Giving
  • Knowing God
  • Are You Ready?

Genesis study & commentary

Genesis 33

By Doug Ford
Jacob and Esau Meet
Jacob Comes to Canaan

Genesis 33:1-3

Imagine the anticipation, excitement and fear.  It all became a moment of horror when he looked up and saw him coming with 400 men.  What were intentions?  How would he act?  Is he still mad?  Jacob put the children with their mothers.  The maidservants are put up front, and then Leah and her children and Rachel and Joseph are last.  The placement of Rachel and Joseph the farthest from harm shows his preference for them.  This is a humbled Jacob now who wrestled with God and gave himself over to Him.  Jacob crosses over first to put himself in harm's way if there was to be any fighting.  He came defenseless and bowed himself seven times before Esau.  This sevenfold prostration was to express his subordination to a superior. 

 

It's interesting to remember when Jacob received the blessing from Isaac that all nations were to bow down before him.  And Esau was supposed to bow to his brother.  But because of Jacob's sin, he found himself bowing before Esau.  God's will is always done – Jacob will be who God called him to be.  In trying to help God and get out ahead of Him, our sin will lead us into a mess.  We end up suffering the consequences for our sin instead of reaping the benefits of God's call on our life.

 

Genesis 33:4-5
There had to be a moment when Esau had his arms around Jacobs neck where he wondered if this was a hug or a strangle.  Jacob certainly thought something else would fall on his neck.  What a relief this must have been; a 20-year burden set down.  They didn't 'work it out' they just let it go.  The past was the past.  This was a direct answer to his prayer, not the result of any of his conniving.  God had changed their hearts and all that old baggage was left along the way.  There was no discussion of the past.  It was two brothers reunited after 20 years apart.  Jacob realized seeing Esau's face and seeing God's face were very much connected because he had seen both and lived.

 

  1. The meeting with God made the meeting with Easu possible.
    1. Before God, man is humbled.  He gets downwind of himself and can see clearly all the sin and damage it had done.  He was broken and humbled and prepared to reconcile with his brother.
    2. In the presence of God, he knew the fear of God.  The fear of Esau was no longer a factor.

 

Genesis 33:6-11
Esau saw the women and children and was ready and eager to meet Jacob's family.  Jacob introduced his wives, maidservants and kids.  They all bowed down to Jacob's brother.  Esau asked about the meaning of all the great company that had gone before.  He wanted to know what all the animals were for.  Jacob explained they were to gain favor with him.  This favor he sought was a tribute, offered in submission to him.  He used the word for tribute several times.  But then, in verse 11, he used another word; a type of blessing, in a sense admitting the gift was reimbursement for the wrong.  Esau's acceptance signaled he agreed it was owed to him.  It was a polite and nonconfrontational settlement. The acceptance of the gift was an acceptance of the apology offered by Jacob. 

 

This is a far cry from the two brothers we saw when they were together last.  Esau was disrespectful of his status as the older brother.  Jacob was deceptive.  Now they are humbled and offering gifts.  They seem to have a maturity in their faith and walk.

 

Genesis 33:12-14
Esau wanted to travel together with his brother, assuming Jacob was going to Seir.  Jacob was still unsure about Esau though.  He was attempting to politely brush him off.  Forgiveness was great, seeing him again was eventful, yet, it was time to move on.  He really didn't want to be united with him, he just wanted the threat to be gone.  Lying to him, Jacob said he will be right behind him as they went toward Seir.

 

Note: Seir means Goat, demon or tempest.

 
Genesis 33:15-17

We might ask what happened to Israel, the new name and nature.  Jacob is still acting like Jacob.  Instead of following Esau as he said, he made his way to Succoth.  Jacob build a place there.  Succoth means tents or tabernacles.

   

Genesis 33:18-20
Shechem was another 20 miles west of Succoth.  Jacob made his way to the Promised Land.  He did so as a different man.  He knew that it was God who brought him there, God who protected him and delivered him.

  1. Jacob entered the Promised Land with a limp.  A reminder of the struggle brought on by sin. 
  2. Jacob entered the Land with a new name.  He was no longer the deceiver but the one who prevailed through the struggle with sin and came away blessed.
  3. Having seen God face to face, he knew the fear of God.  There was no longer any controlling fear of man. 

 

He came safely to Shechem pitched his tent there and bought the land his tent was on.  He erected and altar to God, the God of Israel. 

 

Jacob had made a vow at Bethel (28:20) on his way to meet Rachel.  He made an altar at that time and vowed to give God a tenth of all He blessed him with.  This building of an altar was acknowledgment of Jacob's arrival back in the Promised Land and he most likely offered to God a tenth of all he had. 

 

©2019 Doug Ford