Genesis 33

        As Jacob’s company draws nearer to Esau’s, Jacob is still fearful of the confrontation that he is sure is coming. Even after being blessed by God and being reassured of His providence and protection, Jacob still takes the precaution of dividing his household into three separate groups. He separates his wives and handmaids, putting Zilpah and Bilhah and their children in the foremost company, then Leah and her children, and, finally, Rachel and Joseph in the rear. It’s clear that Rachel is still the one whom Jacob loves the most, and that Joseph is his favored son above all the others. (Genesis 37:3) It’s worth noting that, in spite being chosen of God, and despite all the spiritual and character growth that he’s undergone in the last twenty years, Jacob still behaves in a manner towards his wives and sons that’s not very godly or kind.
 
         Verses 3-4: Jacob bows himself before Esau seven times, which was a custom back then for a sign of great homage and respect. Esau’s reaction to Jacob in verse 4 is the same as the father of the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable in Luke 15:20: “…his father saw him…and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” The similar phrasing in that verse and this one is no coincidence. Esau, like Jacob, has changed greatly in the twenty years since the two brothers last saw one another. Esau is overcome with joy to see Jacob, which is very likely as great a surprise to Jacob as it is to us.
 
       Verses 5-11: Esau then asks Jacob about the women and children with him. Jacob introduces them as “…The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.” (v.5) The handmaids come forward first, then Leah, then Rachel. They and the children also bow down to Esau. Esau next asks Jacob about the large gift of livestock that he had sent on ahead the day before. Jacob explains that it was an offering of forgiveness. Esau insists that his brother keep it, that he already has plenty, but Jacob replies in verse 11, “Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So Esau relents and accepts the gift.
 
          Verses 12-16: Esau then invites Jacob and all his company to journey with him back to Seir. But Jacob asks that he and his family be given some time to rest from their journey thus far. He insists that Esau and his company go on ahead, and Jacob will catch up to him in Seir. Esau then asks Jacob if he can leave some of his men with him, but Jacob refuses, saying again, “What needeth it? Let me find grace in the sight of my lord.” In other words, what need is there for Esau’s men? If Jacob had truly found grace and forgiveness in Esau’s sight, then there is no need for the men to stay behind as guides – or an escort. Esau consents and then he and his company depart.
         It seems, from this dialogue, that either Jacob doesn’t fully trust his brother, that he is still suspicious of Esau’s overtures of peace and reconciliation, or that Jacob doesn’t intend to settle with Esau in Seir. The likely interpretation is a little of both. Remember that Isaac and Rebekah were not pleased with Esau’s choice of wives, and even God himself was not pleased with Esau. (Genesis 26:34-35, Malachi 1:2-3, Hebrews 12:16-17) So it is reasonable to assume that God had warned Jacob at some point in the last few days not to settle in the same land as Esau. But it’s also very likely that Jacob didn’t fully trust his brother, even after Esau’s emotional display in verse 4. The last that Jacob knew, Esau had vowed to kill him. (Genesis 27:41.) So it’s understandable that Jacob would still be wary, even with Esau’s assurances of forgiveness and reconciliation.
 
         Verses 17-20: Jacob and all his house depart as well, journeying first to Succoth, where they build a house for themselves and shelters for their livestock. Some time after that, they eventually settle in the city of Shalem, which belongs to Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite. Note from my study Bible: “Approximately 10 years may have elapsed in Succoth before Jacob went to Shechem. Recognizing that he had returned to fulfill the covenant promise (Genesis 28:15). He erected an altar as Abraham had on his arrival (Genesis 12:7). The plot of ground he [Jacob] bought at Shechem was the second “foothold” of Abraham’s family in the Promised Land.” The bones of Jacob’s second youngest son, Joseph, would find their final resting place here about four hundred years from now, and, in about 1,900 years, this same site would find Jesus ministering to the woman of Samaria at Jacob’s well.
       Jacob’s use of the name “El-elohe-Israel”, which means “A mighty God is the God of Israel” indicates his complete submission to God and his assumption of his new identity as a man of God and the receiver of all the blessings and future promises of the Abrahamic covenant. El-Shaddai, the God of Jacob’s grandfather, had worked a miracle in the heart of Esau by taking away his hatred of his brother and his desire for vengeance, and thus delivered Jacob and all his house safely back home to the Promised Land.