Chapter 18—Jacob’s Terrible Night of Wrestling
This chapter is based on
Genesis 32
and 33.
With many misgivings Jacob retraced the road he had trodden as
a fugitive twenty years before. His sin in the deception of his father
was ever before him. He knew that his long exile was the direct result
of that sin. He pondered over these things day and night, an 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.
The thought of Esau brought troubled foreboding. Esau might
be moved to violence not only by revenge, but to secure undisturbed
possession of the wealth he had long looked upon as his own.
Again the Lord granted Jacob a token of divine care; two hosts
of heavenly angels advanced with his company, as if for their protec-
tion. Jacob remembered the vision at Bethel so long before, and his
burdened heart grew lighter. The divine messengers who brought him
hope and courage at his flight from Canaan were to be the guardians
of his return. And he said, “This is God’s host.”
Yet Jacob felt that he had something to do to secure his own safety.
He therefore dispatched messengers with a conciliatory greeting to
Esau. The servants were sent to “my lord Esau.” They were to refer
to their master as “thy 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, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and
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womenservants.”
But no response was sent to the friendly message. It appeared cer-
tain that Esau was coming to seek revenge. Terror pervaded the camp.
“Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” His company, unarmed and
defenseless, were wholly unprepared for a hostile encounter. He sent
from his vast flocks generous presents to Esau, with a friendly mes-
sage. He did all in his power to atone for the wrong to his brother and
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