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Jacob’s Terrible Night of Wrestling
This chapter is based on Genesis 32 and 33.
With many misgivings Jacob retraced the road he had taken as
a fugitive twenty years before. His sin of deceiving his father was
always on his mind. He knew that his long exile was the direct result
of that sin. He thought about these things day and night, his accusing
conscience making his journey very sad. As the hills of his native
land appeared before him in the distance, all the past rose vividly
before him. With the memory of his sin came also the promises of
divine help and guidance.
He thought of Esau with dread. Esau might be spurred to vio-
lence not only by revenge, but to gain unchallenged possession of
the wealth he had long looked upon as his own.
Again the Lord gave Jacob a sign of divine care; two camps, or
armies, of heavenly angels advanced with his company, as if for their
protection. Jacob remembered the vision at Bethel so long before,
and his burdened heart grew lighter. The divine messengers who
brought him hope and courage as he fled from Canaan were to be
the guardians of his return. And he said, “This is God’s camp.”
Yet Jacob felt that he had something to do to secure his own
safety. He therefore sent messengers to Esau with a greeting that
he hoped his brother would receive with favor. The servants were
sent to “my lord Esau.” They were to refer to their master as “your
servant Jacob.” And to remove the fear that he was returning to claim
the inheritance, Jacob was careful to state in his message, “I have
oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants.”
But Esau sent no response to the friendly message. It appeared
certain that Esau was coming to seek revenge. Terror swept the
camp. “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” His company,
unarmed and defenseless, were completely unprepared for a hostile
encounter. From his vast flocks he sent generous presents to Esau,
with a friendly message. He did all in his power to atone for the
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