Welcome...Today we read Genesis 33:1-18Today we learned several things although it did not seem like a very long reading.
Today we learned the importance of Jacob's family...he put them in order when Esau was approaching with his 400 people...and Jacob braced himself as he met up with Esau...He bowed seven times as he got closer to him. He was greeted with an embrace.
Jacob and his family bowed to him as he approached.
8 Esau asked, "What do you mean by all these droves I met?" "To find favor in your eyes, my lord," he said.
9 But Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."
10 "No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. 11 Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.
12 Then Esau said, "Let us be on our way; I'll accompany you."
Jacob said he would send him on and he would stay at a slower pace due to his flock and his children.
16 So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. 17 Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.
18 After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. 19 For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. 20 There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.
So we learned a lot today about the welcome of Easu. Jacob must have been so fearful not knowing how he would be welcomed by Easu. He was welcomed with an embrace. The brothers parted in peace.
Please join me in tomorrow's reading of Genesis 34:1-31
