Journey Through the Bible in a Year
Reading God's Word and learning more about His plan for my life each day!
Saturday, October 5, 2002
Introduction to Journey Through the Bible
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for the divine appointments You set for our lives each day. Just as Jacob and Esau’s meeting was filled with joy, although Jacob feared that it wouldn’t be, I pray that You will turn meetings with strangers and even those with whom I have had difficulty in the past into times of blessing and joy. I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that all that I am, have and do, will bring You the glory and honor You deserve as the God of the Universe. These things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
My Journey Verses for Today
Genesis 33:1-20
1 Then, in the distance, Jacob saw Esau coming with his four hundred men. 2 Jacob now arranged his family into a column, with his two concubines and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed low seven times before him. 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him. Both of them were in tears. 5 Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, "Who are these people with you?" "These are the children God has graciously given to me," Jacob replied. 6 Then the concubines came forward with their children and bowed low before him. 7 Next Leah came with her children, and they bowed down. Finally, Rachel and Joseph came and made their bows. 8 "And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?" Esau asked .Jacob replied, "They are gifts, my lord, to ensure your goodwill." 9 "Brother, I have plenty," Esau answered. "Keep what you have." 10 "No, please accept them," Jacob said, "for what a relief it is to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the smile of God! 11 Please take my gifts, for God has been very generous to me. I have more than enough." Jacob continued to insist, so Esau finally accepted them. 12 "Well, let's be going," Esau said. "I will stay with you and lead the way." 13 But Jacob replied, "You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, they may die. 14 So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir." 15 "Well," Esau said, "at least let me leave some of my men to guide and protect you." "There is no reason for you to be so kind to me," Jacob insisted. 16 So Esau started back to Seir that same day. 17 Meanwhile, Jacob and his household traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his flocks and herds. That is why the place was named Succoth. 18 Then they arrived safely at Shechem, in Canaan, and they set up camp just outside the town. 19 Jacob bought the land he camped on from the family of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver. 20 And there he built an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.
Reflecting on God's Word for My Journey
When have you anticipated that a meeting with someone was NOT going to go well, but it went better than you ever dreamed it would?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word for My Journey
How did Jacob attempt to assure that Esau would greet him and his family warmly? What was Esau’s response? (33:1-11)
How did Jacob respond to Esau’s offer to escort them back to Seir? (33:12-19)
Where does Jacob stop and purchase property for his family? (33:17-19)
Understanding God's Will for My Journey
Why do you think that Jacob was so insistent that Esau accept the gifts he had presented to him?
Why do you think that Jacob didn’t want to return with Esau, and why didn’t he go to Seir when he made it to his homeland as he told Esau he would?
Applying What God's Word Tells Me to My Journey
What do you learn about dealing with people (even relatives) with whom you have had difficult or strained relationships from Jacob’s interaction with Esau?
My Personal Journey Thought for the Day—“Like the Smile of God!”
Jacob had dreaded and feared his “reunion” with his brother, Esau. He knew that he had given Esau many reasons for hating him, and he didn’t know whether his couple of decades away would have softened that hatred. Jacob sent gifts not so much to bribe Esau into accepting him back, but to demonstrate his good will. Even so, Jacob had spent much time in prayer the night before this meeting and had received God’s personal assurance that Jacob would continue to be blessed. As Jacob arranged his family for the meeting, he put himself at the front of the entourage. When the meeting came, we’re told that Jacob and Esau embraced and that they were both in tears. Esau asked what all the gifts were supposed to mean? Jacob responded that they were to ensure his goodwill. Esau assured Jacob that he was well off and didn’t need them, but Jacob insisted, because seeing Esau’s smile was like seeing the smile of God. We can understand what Jacob meant, can’t we? He was braced for the worst and instead he received unconditional acceptance. God works that way in people’s lives—in our lives. We brace for the worst and God gives us grace, love, forgiveness, salvation. That day Esau was like God. He forgave the past and renewed the relationship with Jacob that had been broken. Thank God, He does that for us every day!
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