Family Reunion

Today's reading is from Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 32.

Beresheet 32:1-2 "So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, 'This is Elohim's camp.' And he called the name of that place Mahanaim."

Can anyone guess what Mahanaim means? According to my NKJV, which has these neato little footnotes at the bottom of most pages, Mahanaim means "Double Camp." So basically Jacob is saying that he and Elohim are sharing the camp.

Beresheet 32:3-5 "Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, 'Speak thus to my lord Esau, "Thus your servant Jacob says: 'I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.'"'"

It looks like what Jacob is saying here is that he is rich and willing to give Esau lots of stuff so he doesn't continue to hold a grudge and want to kill him. Remember, Jacob ran away from home with Esau's inheritance and blessing.

Beresheet 32:6-8 "Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, 'We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.' So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. And he said, 'If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.'"

Jacob's twin brother who has threatened to kill him is now coming to him with four hundred men. Granted it is several years later, but has time healed Esau's heart? At any rate, it is justified for Jacob to be scared of his brother, but he should remember that Yahuah is on his side no matter what.

Beresheet 32:9-12 "Then Jacob said, 'O El of my father Abraham and the Elohim of my father Isaac, Yahuah who said to me, "Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you": I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have bcome two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, "I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude."'

Jacob definitely remembers. First thing to do when faced with trouble like this, or any kind actually, is pray. Wholeheartedly and faithfully pray. Pray when you're scared and remember that the only thing you should ever be afraid of is Yahuah Himself, because He'll take care of everything for you. I know that for some of you, praying sounds like kneeling down and talking to yourself, or to a wall or to whatever you happen to be facing at the time, but take that leap of faith and pray; He's listening for you.

Beresheet 32:13-21 "So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: two hundred female goat and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, 'Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves.' And he commanded the first one, saying, 'When Esau my brother meets you and asks you saying, "To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?" then you shall say, "They are your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us."' So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, 'In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; and also say, "Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us"' For he said, 'I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.' So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp."

This is fairly self-explanatory. Jacob is hoping that by giving Esau all these animals and gifts, his brother won't decide to kill him. Maybe his anger will cool down with each successive gift? Or is he still even angry?

Beresheet 32:22- 32 "And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' but he said, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me!' So He said to him, 'What is your name?' He said, 'Jacob.' And He said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with Elohim and with men, and have prevailed.' Then Jacob asked, saying, 'Tell me Your name, I pray.' And He said, 'Why is it that you ask about My name?' And he blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: 'For I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.' Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank."

This one's a little hard to follow unless you pay attention to capitalization. Specifically the capitalization of the word "He" Jacob/Israel is never named with a capitalized "he." The only One who is ever named with a capitalized "He" is Yahuah and Yeshuah, who we'll meet later. Anyway, basically some stranger went and wrestled with Jacob until daybreak and Jacob was actually winning. In the end, his name was changed to Israel, which means "Prince with Elohim," and now the Israelites don't eat the meat off the hip socket of the sheep and goats and cows and stuff because it reminds them of what happened to their ancestor.

Homework: Check out the song "Strong Tower." Newsboys and Kutless both sing a version of it.

Next time we'll be reading Beresheet (Genesis) chapter 33.