Genesis Chapter 33 v. 1-20

Jacob looked up and saw his brother Esau, followed by his four hundred men. AH! Strategy first, though.

He divided his children and women in order of importance--like, who he didn't minded killed--namely, he put his maidservants and their children in front, then Leah and her children, and lastly, Rachel and Joseph. You know, just in case his brother's wrath broke through the line.

Then he went ahead of them and greeted his brother with as many bows as he could muster, saying obsequious things like, 'my lord' and 'my master' and 'my, how god-like you look in the morning light!'

But of course Esau, having grown older and wiser and perhaps put away his childish want for vengance, rushed forward and hugged his conniving brother tearfully and they both wept (one with relief, I'm sure).

Then came the family introductions. Every time Jacob introduces somebody he throws in a 'my lord' or 'your servant: me' for good measure. Then Esau wants to know why Jacob sent all those people and animals on ahead of him. Jacob tells his brother they're a gift, and after some convincing, Esau accepts them as such. Everyone is trying to outdo everyone else in niceness. I hate family reunions.

Come on then, says Esau, let's go. I'll accompany you.

But Jacob refuses. His excuse is that if he pushes the newborn animals of his flock too hard, they'll die. Also, he wants to go at the pace of his children. This must've puzzled Esau as much as it did me. But in the end Jacob's brother leaves with his legions.

So Jacob didn't trust Esau after all. That's the conclusion I draw from this. And god told him it would be all right, and surely his brother's welcome was proof of this, but Jacob hedged his bets. I think Jacob is one of those people who's always trying to pull something, and so expects everyone else to be doing the same thing. He's a con artist.

Anyway, he didn't even follow Esau. He set up camp nearby and bought some land and stayed put. He even set up an altar.

Genesis Chapter 32 v.1-32

Jacob wanted to go home as his god had commanded, but. . .his brother Esau still wanted to kill him. Hm. Sticky.

Well, maybe if he killed some servants first his bloodlust would be somewhat satiated. So Jacob sent some servants ahead of him. "Tell Esau that Jacob says he is really sorry and stuff. Better make it convincing!" I'm sure the servants were delighted to bear that message.

They waited where they had camped, and when the messengers came back they told Jacob they had delivered the message.

"What did he say?"
"He's coming here to meet you. He has four hundred dudes with him. Think that's a good sign?"
"AAH!"

Jacob immediately split his peeps up into two camps. Pretty good strategy. Jacob is always painted as having devious, clever ideas.

There are a lot of places in the bible where people are careful even though god told them they were going to be fine. Well, god is ever a bit more bombastic than just a 'fine' but you get the idea. I always wonder what this seeming lack of faith means.

Jacob decided to pray while he was waiting. He told god how unworthy he was, and asked him to save him from his brother's wrath.

To sweeten the pot, Jacob selected the best male and female goats, sheep and camels he had, and sent them on ahead with a few servants. He told the servants to tell Esau that the animals were a gift to him from his brother Jacob, who would be following behind.

Here's where it gets weird.

That night Jacob gathered his two wives, their maidservants and his eleven sons and went to cross the fork of the river Jabbok. After he'd sent everyone and everything over the river he stayed on the shore and got down and dirty with some dude. They wrestled until daybreak. The "man" touched Jacob's hip and screwed it up, then called uncle when the dawn came. But Jacob wouldn't let the guy go until he got blessed. So the man told him he should now go by the name Israel, because he had struggled with god and man. Then Jacob asked what the guy's name was he was cryptic, but Jacob did get his blessing.

So Jacob continued on, limping because of the wrestling match. And also, the Israelites don't eat the hips of animals where Jacob was touched by god.

I am pretty confused by this story. Why were they wrestling? Did the spectators take bets? Why didn't the "man" tell Jacob he was god if that's who he was? Hasn't been too shy about owning up until now.

Well, I'll continue my trek through the old testament. In the next exciting chapter we'll find out what Esau says when he sees his brother Jacob.

Whew!

Just a quick note here, I didn't have a bible after I left my husband (go figure). I believe I will be accessing it online and hopefully continuing these posts. Since ishie is the only one who reads it, i guess this message is for her alone. Hope your presentation went well, chica! yay nyc!

-slappy