Genesis 32-34

Genesis 32


Jacob is preparing to meet Esau. He sends his servants to give a message to Esau. God made Jacob prosper just as He promised! He has enough property as two camps. Esau received Jacob's message, and him and 400 men are coming to meet Jacob. Jacob prepares a selection of animals to give to his brother (Esau). He sets his property in two groups, so if Esau attacks---one of the groups can get away. Jacob sent herds ahead of him as gifts to hopefully warm Esau up to seeing Jacob to avoid harming him..

The second part of Genesis 32 really puzzles me, and leaves questions.. God initiated a wrestling with Jacob. People are constantly saying "don't wrestle with God. Don't wrestle with God." In this passage, God is wrestling with Jacob. I know, there is purpose behind it. It seems like it is to test Jacob.

The question: Was Jacob really wrestling God?
Why did not God overpower him, like we know He can?
God gave Jacob victory and power to overcome.
God in human formed is wrestling with Jacob, as he is alone in this place. Touching his hip, his hip wrenched as he was wrestling.  God blessed Jacob.


Genesis 33


After Jacob's encounter with God, Jacob looked up and saw Esau. Esau was coming with his 400 men.The passage is very particular about the order of the wives/children, as Jacob went ahead to meet Esau. Esau run to Jacob and embraced him. Esau was loving toward Jacob, which showing God's presence and his obvious forgiveness toward Jacob. He stated something has significance...To see Esau was like seeing the face of God. There is purpose. Jacob had fled once he stole Esau's blessing, and now they were looking at each other again after many years of being apart. What speaks to me is about how they gave to each other and said "accept this gift if I find favor in your eyes." Esau was going to go with Jacob as he journeyed home to his father's country, but Jacob sent him ahead for the sake of his flock and children.

The importance is of forgiveness and also loving each other.. Jacob freely gave, as did Esau.. Blessing each other. Loving one another. Supporting one another, despite what may have happened in the past.


Genesis 34


Dinah is defiled by one of the men (Shechem) living in the land. Then, there is this whole agreement that is taken place for Dinah to be intermarried with the man who violated her. Women were property, so it was about making the best deal. Shechem claimed to "love" her with his heart. His father (Hamor) wants to intermarry, so that they can marry Jacob's daughters and they can take wives from Hamor and community. The deal is made that the men in in Canaan have to be circumcised, and while they were still hurting--they were attacked. Rightly so, as they should be attacked. It could have been as simple as that. But Dinah's two brothers took her from Shechem's house, and they attacked and killed all the men in Canaan, taking their wives and children. Jacob is upset for they may come and attack his entire household.

It is hard to know what we would done in a similar situation. Thankfully, our laws today are much different than they were in Old Testament days where the rapist marries the woman. But, God's presence does not seem near in Genesis 34. There is much evil and violance, but God does not seem near. We know God was present in this situation, but what would God have had Jacob and his family to do? What would be the way of serving God in situations that are incredibly difficult before the Law is present?

In Dinah's story, what makes it difficult is Dinah did not have a voice. Her voice was left unheard. If she was in today's world, she would have a voice and could be heard. But back then, women did not have a voice--they were property.