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Genesis 32:3-5

For many of you it’s not going to be easy to identify with Jacob on his return back home, most of you did what you were told as teenagers and got along great with all you came in contact with, but there may be a few like me who will relate to Jacob.  Jacob did not leave home under the best conditions, his brother did not give him a going away party, in fact his brother wants to kill him, so it is important for him to let his older brother (the one he stole his blessing and birthright from) know that he had changed, that he was a hard worker, that he was successful, that he was not coming back to take from his brother.  “And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now.  I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants.  I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’”

Esau is very aware of what Jacob had when he left, he had Esau’s birthright and his blessing, he had a donkey or camel and some provisions and maybe a few gifts for Laban, but he did not have much stuff.  But now he is returning a very rich man, one who wants to come home, but not one who wants or needs what his brother has.  Jacob is not under any elusion as to the source of his wealth, God has blessed him, but this is where many identify with Jacob, he is not sure God is going to protect him from Esau.

You might ask, did not God promise to be with Jacob, and you would be correct, “Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” (Genesis 31:3) What is wrong with Jacob?  He’s willing to trust God with his wealth, but he is not sure he can depend on God to keep him safe from the brother who has promised to kill him.  Jacob has that one promise, and we have hundreds from God; Jacob knows God is a promise keeper and so do we, but like Jacob, we let the enemy into our mind and he says, “Did God actually say,” that is the same line he used on Eve in the garden.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice