Jacob Returns to Canaan

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Introduction

We have been following the account of Jacob for several weeks now. Jacob had lived up to his name, deceiving both his brother and father and stealing the birthright and blessing that belonged to Esau.

• • Write on the board, “How is the gospel part of reconciling relationships?”
  Why are we following Jacob and not Esau? Jacob was the one who received the promise given to his father and grandfather. It is Jacob through whom the Seed will come to bless all nations.

  We know that all of this was done to fulfill God’s promise that the older would serve the younger. But all of the deception created a rift in the family. Jacob fled to Haran where he experienced the deception of his uncle, Laban. When we left the text last week, Jacob had served Laban for 14 years for the privilege of marrying Leah and Rachel. We looked at the birth of the sons, and one daughter, of Jacob last week. These sons would form the 12 Tribes of Israel. So, one of our goals today is to understand how Jacob became Israel. Then we are going to look at how Jacob and Esau were reconciled to one another.

Jacob Returns to Canaan

Open your Bibles to Genesis 29. We need to start with a bit of overview today. We looked at the births of the sons in 29:31–31:24. Benjamin came along later. After the birth of Joseph to Rachel, Jacob appealed to Laban to return to Canaan with his family (30:25–26). Laban refused, and made another deal with Jacob. Over a period of six more years, Jacob tended the flocks, and God prospered all he did. The portion of the flock to be given to Jacob expanded, while Laban’s portion was less. This created strife with Laban’s sons who were jealous of Jacob.

If you look at Genesis 31:3, you will see that God called Jacob to return to Canaan, telling him he would be with him. This was done in a dream, as we see in verses 11–13. Jacob recognized that God had blessed him by transferring Laban’s wealth to Jacob. While Laban was away shearing his sheep, Jacob gathered his wives, his family, his servants, and all of his possessions to head south to Canaan.

Laban pursued them and confronted Jacob in the hills of Gilead (near the Sea of Galilee), asking him why he had left secretly and had stolen his household gods. Jacob didn’t know, but Rachel had stolen the idols. She lied to her father to avoid the consequences, which would have meant her death (31:32). Jacob and Laban made a covenant, and Laban and his men returned to Haran.

I hope you will take time this week to read through chapters 30 and 31 to understand the events more fully.

Let’s read Genesis 32 together and look at how Jacob sought to reconcile with Esau. We’ll break it up into two sections. Divide the passage for class members to read aloud.

• How old were Jacob and Esau at this point? Since they were 77 when Jacob left and it had been 20 years, the men were 97 years old.
• How did God reassure Jacob as he neared Canaan? God sent his angels to meet Jacob at a place Jacob named Mahanaim.
• What was Jacob’s first step to reconcile with Esau? He sent messengers to Esau.
• Where did he send them? The messengers were sent south from Gilead to Seir or Edom. This is the region to the southeast of the Dead Sea.
• Where have we heard of Edom before? When Jacob stole the birthright, the red stew was connected to Esau and the name Edom (25:20). Seir seems to be used as the regional name while Edom is the national name (Edomites).
• What was Jacob’s message to Esau? He told him where he had been, how he had prospered, and sought to be reconciled (“find favor” in Esau’s sight).
• Why did Jacob mention his wealth? In light of the circumstances of his departure, Jacob seems to be reassuring Esau that he wasn’t coming to take away his possessions.
• What message was returned to Jacob? Esau was coming with 400 men.
• How did Jacob receive this message? He was greatly afraid and distressed. Apparently, Esau did not make his intentions known to the messengers.
• What strategy did Jacob follow to deal with the apparent threat? He intended to divide his family into two groups so that only part would be killed if Esau attacked.
• What was the second response Jacob had? He prayed to God.
• How did Jacob address God? He called on him as the God of his father and grandfather as well as Lord (YHWH).
• What attributes of God did Jacob acknowledge? God had shown Jacob steadfast love and faithfulness.
• What did Jacob directly ask for? He asked for protection from Esau.
• What two promises did Jacob call to mind during his prayer? God had promised to return Jacob and do good for him (31:3, 32:9); God had promised to give Jacob the land and many descendants (28:13–17, 32:12).
• What did Jacob do to try to appease Esau? He sent a multitude of gifts of livestock in five separate groups to meet Esau, saying they were gifts from his servant Jacob.

  As you can imagine, Jacob was stressed about his brother approaching. Esau and his men were probably not far behind the messengers, and Jacob believed Esau still wanted to kill him. He sent his loved ones across the Jabbok River and faced a sleepless night.

Now let’s read the rest of the chapter. Assign readers.

• How did Jacob isolate himself? He sent his family south across the Jabbok and stayed alone on the other side.
• How did the wrestling match begin? We are not told the details, but the text indicates that the encounter began abruptly.
• How long did the wrestling match last? Through the night until daybreak.
• How did the match go? Neither man prevailed.
• What happened to Jacob’s leg? The man touched his hip socket and his hip was dislocated.
• What did the man ask of Jacob? He asked him to release him since it was almost light.
• What did Jacob demand in return? He asked for a blessing before he would let him go.
• Why did the man ask for Jacob’s name? It seems that he was asking Jacob to acknowledge that his name had been fitting, but that it would now be changed.
• What did Jacob’s name change indicate? “Israel” means “he has striven with God.” He would no longer be known as the deceiver, but connected to God.
• Did Jacob ever find out the man’s name? No.
• Who was the man Jacob wrestled with? Since Jacob concluded that he had seen God face to face, this man must have been God. As we have discussed previously, these appearances of God were the preincarnate Son of God present as a man.
• Why was the man so concerned that it was almost light? It seems he did not want Jacob to see his face clearly in the light.

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  What does Hosea 12:3–4 add to our understanding? This confirms that the man was indeed God, so Jacob truly wrestled with God.
• Why did Jacob call that place Peniel? “Peniel” means “face of God,” so the name is fitting to his experience there.
• How should we understand Jacob’s statement that he saw God “face to face” and yet lived? This may be a phrase that just indicates closeness, or it could be taken in a literal sense. In other places in the Bible, we read that no one can see the face of God and live (Exodus 33:20).
• God told Jacob that his name change reflected how he had struggled with God and men. What “men” had Jacob struggled against? As the deceiver, he had created conflict with his father, brother, uncle, and wives. That was all about to change as reconciliation would come.
• What two reminders of this encounter did Jacob leave with? He left with a limp and with a new name.
• Did Jacob receive the blessing he asked for? Yes, verse 29 says there was a blessing, though we do not know the content.

Discover the Truth

Jacob, then a man of 97 years, had been through a lot. Much of the hardship in his life came as the result of his own sinful actions, but some came through the sins of others. God had called Jacob to return to Canaan, promising to keep him safe as he went. He had left 20 years earlier as a single man with no possessions and was returning as a rich man with four wives, eleven children, and a host of servants and flocks.

• Was Jacob really trusting that God would keep him safe as he returned to Canaan? While it is not clearly expressed in the text, we see Jacob struggling with God in prayer. He was apparently doubting God’s promise to keep him safe, knowing that his brother would likely try to kill him upon his return. He appealed to God and acknowledged God’s faithfulness, but there still seemed to be doubt. He also planned to separate his family into two groups and send gifts ahead to his brother.

  Jacob was returning to his homeland as a changed man. God had blessed him, guided him, and changed him. The promise made to Abraham was still in effect and was going to happen through this man and his family.

The Twins Reunite

The limping Jacob (the text still primarily refers to Jacob rather than Israel for a few more chapters) is now headed south, anticipating an encounter with his brother. Will Esau receive the gifts? Will he still want to kill Jacob? Is God really going to protect him? Let’s find out the answers to these questions as we look at Genesis 33:1–20. Have someone read the passage aloud.

• When Jacob saw Esau coming, how did he arrange his family? He placed the two servants, Zilpah and Bilhah, and their children in the front, Leah and her six sons in the middle, and Rachel and Joseph at the back.
• What did this order reflect? It seems that Jacob was still showing his favoritism toward Rachel. This is also a foreshadowing of the preferential treatment Joseph would receive, setting up the conflict with his brothers.
• Where was Jacob in the procession? He went before all of his family.
• How did Jacob approach Esau? He bowed himself to the ground seven times as he moved toward Esau.
• What was his intent? He was showing humility, seeking to appease his brother.
• How did Esau’s approach compare? Esau ran toward his brother.
• How did Esau receive Jacob? He embraced his brother with kisses, and both of them wept at the reunion.
• Did Esau receive the gifts Jacob had sent ahead? Yes, but only with some urging.
• Whom did Jacob acknowledge as the source of his wealth? In verse 11 he acknowledged God’s blessing as he gave the gifts to Esau.
• What caused Esau to respond as he did? The text does not tell us, but we can surely see an answer to Jacob’s prayers in Esau’s response. God had promised protection and provided it. It is also possible that the gifts had changed Esau’s mind as he traveled toward Jacob. The text actually creates a lot of suspense since we don’t know what Esau intended until 33:4.
• As they parted, where was Esau headed? Back to Seir.
• Where was Jacob headed? He said he intended to go to Seir, following slowly.
• Where did Jacob actually wind up? He went to Succoth, a city on the east side of the Jordan River, and built a house there.
• Where did Jacob go next? He then moved to Shechem, about 20 miles to the west across the Jordan River.
• What two things happened at Shechem? Jacob bought a piece of land (other than the tomb of Sarah, this is the only land owned by Abraham’s descendant in Canaan so far) and built an altar.
• What did he name the altar? El-Elohe-Israel—God, the God of Israel.
• What was the significance of this name? Jacob acknowledged God as his personal God, also connecting it to his new name and likely foreshadowing the nation that would be known by his name. God was the Mighty One of Israel.

Discover the Truth

What a wonderful ending to so much strife and fear. Decades of conflict had been resolved as the twins were reunited under God’s care.

• How do you see God’s faithfulness in this account? Discuss various answers, pointing to God’s fulfillment of the promises he had given to Jacob.

  Jacob had found favor in his brother’s eyes as his prayers were answered. The rift was healed, and the land of Canaan was now before Jacob and his children. The promise to Abraham was moving forward as God directed Jacob’s steps.

Peace with God and Man Activity

In your Student Guide you will find the Peace with God and Man activity. Take a few minutes to complete the questions there, and we will discuss it in a few minutes. Have students complete the activity in their Student Guides. If you are not using the Student Guides, print the activity and pass it out.

Connect to the Truth

When we sin against others, there is a consequence of broken fellowship with both God and man. We see this in Jacob’s life, but I am sure you have experienced the same. Discuss the questions.

• Read Genesis 32:9–12. How did Jacob acknowledge his own sin and its consequences? Jacob acknowledged that he was not worthy of God’s blessing and appealed to God for his continued preservation.
• Read Matthew 5:21–24. How does this teaching relate to both vertical and horizontal reconciliation? (Also consider Mark 11:25.) We are instructed to reconcile our personal relationships before we offer worship/sacrifice to God. We must seek horizontal peace before pursuing vertical peace.
• Read Romans 12:14–21. What does this passage teach about our responsibility in reconciling relationships? Discuss the several ideas, focusing on the idea that we should do all we can to be at peace with others. Seeking reconciliation is part of being a Christian, trusting the results to God.
• If you are resting in the gospel, a message of reconciliation, is there any offense that others have committed against you that is greater than the offenses you have committed against God? (Also consider Matthew 6:14–15.) No matter what others have done to us, we have sinned far more against a perfectly holy God. If God is willing to forgive us, how can we withhold forgiveness from those who have sinned against us? If time allows, read and discuss the parable in Matthew 18:21–35.
• When we sin against another person, what two people do we need to repent before and seek forgiveness from? We should repent before and seek forgiveness from the person we have sinned against and then seek the same from God. Every horizontal sin is also a sin against God.
• As you consider your own life, is there a relationship that is broken? What immediate steps can you take to seek reconciliation? How can this group support you in that effort? Discuss various answers.

  As we seek to be like our Heavenly Father and our precious Savior, we should seek to maintain our relationships in peace. God has sought to restore the relationship we had broken through our own sins, so when we seek to reconcile with others, we are acting like God. That reconciliation came at the cost of pouring out his wrath against sin on his Son—it was costly and painful. The same will be true as we seek reconciliation—sin has consequences. But the truth of the gospel is the hope of reconciliation that leads to the richest of relationships as we are adopted into God’s family and become joint heirs with Christ.

Application

Jacob had left his family with only a staff in his hand (32:10) and returned a very wealthy man. He left with great enmity toward his brother and returned to peace and even a loving relationship. He left as a deceiver who sought his own way and returned acknowledging that God was his God and listening to his instruction. He left as Jacob the deceiver and returned as Israel the man of God.

This change came as he turned from seeking his own benefit to relying on God. He experienced and embraced the consequences of his own sin and acknowledged that God’s faithfulness and kindness to him were not deserved. He experienced God’s grace and mercy. And that is the same grace and mercy we experience from God today. Reconciliation in both our personal relationships and our relationship with our Creator is possible in this world that is filled with the effects of the fall.

The descendant of Jacob, who would come to make perfect reconciliation possible, suffered the consequences of sin even though he had never sinned himself. In fact, he was willing to die for the very ones whose sins sent him to the cruel cross. If we have been forgiven so much, how much more should we seek to reconcile with those whom we have sinned against or who have sinned against us. Living in light of the gospel gives us the hope of that reconciliation and the hope and joy of being united with Christ.

Let us make sure that we think of how we can apply these ideas as we leave and go out into the world we live in. We want to make sure that we are not merely hearing the Word, but seeking to be doers of what we read in it.

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  God originally created humans to be relational beings—to live in community with one another. How has the fall impacted that original plan? Discuss the ways in which relationships are impacted by sin.
• Why is it important for us to see Jacob’s failures and successes in the pages of Scripture? In his wisdom, God has shown us the good and the bad of the heroes of the past. This allows us to see that those used by God are not perfect, giving us hope that even we can be used by God and reconciled to him despite our own sinful actions.
• How does the message of the gospel apply to seeking reconciliation with other people? In Christ, we have been forgiven so much. How can we not forgive others? We can have hope that God’s grace and mercy can break down any walls and restore any relationship.
• How have you experienced the change in attitude toward others and toward God that Jacob experienced? Allow a few students to share their personal testimonies of how God has changed their hearts and attitudes toward others and toward God.
• Are there any specific relationships in which you need to seek reconciliation? Discuss various answers, offering prayer and encouragement.

Group Prayer

Be sure to pray with your class before you dismiss them.

• Praise God for his faithfulness and steadfast love toward sinners.
• Ask God for his mercy and grace to be poured out as reconciliation is sought in various relationships.
• Thank God for sending Jesus to reconcile our broken relationship with him.