God assured Jacob He would be with him as he went back to his father, Isaac’s home. God also warned Laban to be careful how he treated Jacob. Jacob and Laban set up a memorial that divided their people. They both agreed that they would not cross over to harm one another. They promised to let God be the judge between them if they did.
Jacob
traveled on with his family and a wonderful thing happened as they entered the
land of Jacob’s birth; the angels of God met them! What a welcome home greeting that must have
been! When Jacob saw the presence of the
angels in that spot of land, he decided to camp there. He named that particular area Mahanaim (which
means “two camps.”)
From
there Jacob sent messengers ahead to meet Esau in Seir, in the country of
Edom. They were to say to him: “Your servant Jacob says I have been staying
with Laban and have remained there until now.
I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female
servants. Now I am sending this message
to my lord so that I may find favor in your eyes.” They returned to Jacob having delivered the
message and told him that Esau and 400 of his men were coming to meet them.
With
great fear and distress Jacob divided his group into two camps. He thought if Esau attacked one group the
other could escape. Jacob then begin to
pray, reminding God that he was doing just what He had asked him to do and
reminding God that He had promised to protect him. His prayer was very humble, stating to God
that he was unworthy of all the promises God had given. Jacob did bring up the covenant promises and
reminded God of them again. He asked
humbly for God’s protection in light of all these things.
After
thinking it through in prayer, Jacob divided out much of his possessions and
put different servants in charge of each.
He spaced them out and put them in front of everyone. As they, one by one, were reaching Esau they
were to present Esau with these very valuable and generous gifts from Jacob and to tell him that
Jacob was coming behind them. Jacob hoped that the gifts would appeal to Esau's anger and he would be easy on Jacob's caravan as they approached.
With
all of these strategic plans in place, Jacob paused and spent the night in the camp.
Can you imagine the thoughts running through Jacob's head as he tried to get sleep that night?
Can you imagine the thoughts running through Jacob's head as he tried to get sleep that night?