Genesis 33 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Genesis 33:1-11

1 Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. 2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. ‘Who are these with you?’ he asked.

Jacob answered, ‘They are the children God has graciously given your servant.’

6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

8 Esau asked, ‘What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?’

‘To find favour 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 favour 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 favourably. 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.

A. Find Out:

1. How did Jacob arrange his family? v.1,2
2. Where did he place himself? v.3
3. How did Esau greet Jacob? v.4
4. What was Esau’s first question? v.5
5. What was his second question? v.8
6. On what did Jacob insist? v.10,11

B. Think:

1. What signs were there that the past was now very much in the past?
2. What emotion do you think Esau is showing by his questions?
3. How does Jacob testify to the Lord?

C. Comment:

As Jacob prepares to meet Esau again, he no doubt wondered what Esau would be feeling after twenty years. Would Esau still be harbouring anger over all that Jacob had done to him before he had left home? Had bitterness built up over the years? As they meet it seems clear that there was nothing of that in evidence, for Esau appears to welcome Jacob gladly and there seems only warmth in his greeting. Then as Jacob’s family start arriving in groups Esau’s warmth turns to amazement at their numbers.

Eventually Esau asks the meaning of all the herds that had gone before Jacob. It seems he can’t believe they are really to be his, but Jacob insists he keeps them. Esau has obviously also done well but eventually he agrees to receive the herds as Jacob testifies to God’s goodness towards him during his time away Can it be that the Lord has soothed Esau’s heart in preparation to receive Jacob back? He has been with him in everything else; He was probably in this as well. Again and again in Scripture there is the promise of blessing upon those who walk with the Lord, and that is certainly true of Jacob.

D. Application?

1. As there any relationships you fear to face? Could it be that the Lord will go ahead of you to prepare for a reconciliation?
2. Thank Jesus that He is the Prince of Peace.

Passage: Genesis 33:12-20

12 Then Esau said, ‘Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.’

13 But Jacob said to him, ‘My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. 14 So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.’

15 Esau said, ‘Then let me leave some of my men with you.’

‘But why do that?’ Jacob asked. ‘Just let me find favour in the eyes of my lord.’

16 So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. 17 Jacob, however, went to Sukkoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Sukkoth.

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.

A. Find Out:

1. What did Esau offer? v.12
2. Why did Jacob reject his offer? v.13,14
3. What did Esau then offer to do? v.15a
4. What did Jacob ask in return? v.15b
5. Where & how did Jacob settle in the land? v.17-19
6. What did he do there? v.20

B. Think:

1. What, from their conversation, does it appear the two men are feeling?
2. Why do you think Jacob didn’t go back to his original home?
3. Looking at the footnotes, what does the name Jacob gave the altar tell about him?

C. Comment:

Although there seems to have been a real welcome for Jacob, one cannot help sensing a measure of suspicion between the two men. Esau suggests first that he accompanies Jacob home and then, when that is refused, suggests that at least some of his men travel with him. For what purpose? Presumably to keep an eye on him. Jacob, on the other hand, wants to get clear of Esau as soon as possible it seems, for as soon as he is left he moves off and settles in a different part of the country. Perhaps we ask more of him than can be expected if we want him to return back to his old home. Instead he settles near Succoth, which regrettably turns out to be a wrong move (read chapter 34 sometime)

Nevertheless, he honourably buys some land and settles there, where he establishes an altar identified as “the God of Israel”. He recognises that he is back by God’s grace and acclaims God as his God. Maybe he has still got room for some changes in his life but he has certainly changed from when we first met him!

D. Application?

1. Do we sometimes reveal suspicion for others?
2. Do we sometimes say one thing and then do another?
3. Are we sometimes afraid to publicly identify with the Lord?