Genesis
chapter 33 begins with Jacob’s long dreaded reuniting with his
brother Esau. Last time they saw each other, Jacob was fleeing for
fear of his life. We read, “Jacob
looked up and there was Esau, coming with four hundred men“.
He does not know what to expect, but has no other options. In case
there is trouble, Jacob separates the children with their mothers.
He puts them in order of importance to him, first his maidservants
and their children, then Leah and her children and finally Rachel and
her children. But, “Esau
ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck
and kissed him. And they wept“.
How often we dread seeking God’s forgiveness when we know we fallen
away. This is a great lesson to remind us that though we may fear
God’s judgment, He is waiting for us with open arms to embrace us.
After Jacob introduces everyone to his brother, Esau asks, “what
do you mean by all these droves I met…I already have plenty, keep
what you have for yourself“.
Jacob insist, “God
has been gracious to me and I have all that I need“.
So Esau accepts the gift and suggests, “Let’s
be on our way. I will accompany you“.
Shaky Jakey still doesn’t seem to trust his brother and he disobeys
God’s command to go back to his country. Jake makes an excuse that
he and his droves and the kids will be too slow, “So
that day, Esau started on his way back to Seir. Jacob, however went
on to Succoth (The
opposite direction),
where
he built a place for himself“.
Jacob
settles near the town of Shechem in Canaan and “for
a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor…the
plot of ground where he pitched his tent“.
“There
he set up an alter and called it El Elohe Israel“.
Chapter 34 tells us the consequences of His disobedience. We read,
that “Jacob’s
daughter Dinah went out to visit with the women of the land. When
Shechem, the son of Hamor…the ruler of the area, saw her and took
her and violated her“.
Shechem then tells his father, “Get
this girl for me“.
Sounds like a spoiled rich kid that is used to getting what he
wants. “Then
Shechem’s father Hamor went out to talk with Jacob. Now Jacob’s sons
had come in from the fields as soon as they heard what had happened.
They were filled with grief and fury“.
Hamor begins to negotiate with Jacob to intermarry with his people.
He goes on, “Make
the price for the bride… as great as you like, and I’ll pay
whatever you ask me“.
“Because
their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob’s sons answered
deceitfully…we can’t give our sister to a man that is
uncircumcised… we will give you consent only… that you become
like us by circumcising all males”. Somehow
Hamor convinced all the men to go along with the deal and,
“every male in the city was circumcised“.
We
read, “Three
days later, while all of them are still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons,
Simeon and Levi… took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting
city, killing every male…They seized their flocks…and everything
else…they carried off their wealth and all their women and
children“.
Their revenge is severe and complete. Jacob tells them, “You
have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites”.
But
they reply,
“should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?“.
The protection we receive by being part of a family is powerful.
How much more amazing that we can be part of the family of God! The
blessings we inherit through Christ are innumerable. Spiritually
speaking, it is dangerous to live out on your own without God’s
protection.