Genesis 33

From this point on we’ll begin to see a change in Jacob.  Even his name was changed by God from Jacob to Israel.

It’s important to keep in mind that these verses all tell us about Jacob but they also picture much more. They are types of things to come as well. The Genesis stories show us time and time again that God has a plan and how it will come about.

Let’s see if we can simplify a few of these pictures in order to get across the incredible depths of scripture.

Jacob finally appeared to Esau after sending five droves of gifts before their encounter.

In the same way, Christ finally appeared to Adam’s race after providing five dispensations which each worked to prepare us for the meeting.

We should introduce the word dispensations here.

Dispensations are a method of interpreting history that divides God’s work and purposes toward mankind into different periods of time.

The first dispensation is called the Dispensation of Innocence (Genesis 1:28-30 and 2:15-17).

This dispensation covered the period of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In this dispensation God’s commands were to (1) fill the earth with children, (2) subdue the earth, (3) have dominion over the animals, (4) care for the garden, and (5) abstain from eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God warned of the punishment of physical and spiritual death for disobedience. This dispensation came to an end when Adam and Eve disobeyed in eating the forbidden fruit and were expelled from the garden.

The second dispensation is called the Dispensation of Conscience, and it lasted about 1,656 years from the time of Adam and Eve’s eviction from the garden until the flood (Genesis chapter 3 to chapter 8). This dispensation demonstrates what mankind will do if left to his own will and conscience, which have been tainted by the inherited sin nature. The five major aspects of this dispensation are 1) a curse on the serpent, 2) a change in womanhood and childbearing, 3) a curse on nature, 4) the imposing of difficult work on mankind to produce food, and 5) the promise of Christ as the seed who will bruise the serpent’s head (Satan).

The third dispensation is the Dispensation of Human Government, which began in Genesis 8. God had destroyed life on earth with a flood, saving just one family to restart the human race. God made the following promises and commands to Noah and his family:

1. God will not curse the earth again.
2. Noah and family are to replenish the earth with people.
3. They shall have dominion over the animal creation.
4. They are allowed to eat meat.
5. The law of capital punishment is established.
6. There never will be another worldwide flood.
7. The sign of God’s promise will be the rainbow.

Noah’s descendants did not scatter and fill the earth as God had commanded. They failed in their responsibility in this dispensation. About 325 years after the flood, the earth’s inhabitants began building a tower, a great monument to their solidarity and pride (Genesis 11:7-9). God brought the construction to a halt, creating different languages and enforcing His command to fill the earth. The result was the rise of different nations and cultures. From that point on, human governments have been a reality.

The fourth dispensation called the Dispensation of Promise, started with the call of Abraham, continued through the lives of the patriarchs, and ended with the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt, a period of about 430 years. During this dispensation, God developed a great nation that He had chosen as His people (Genesis 12:1 – Exodus 19:25).

The basic promise during the Dispensation of Promise was the Abrahamic Covenant. Here are some of the key points of that unconditional covenant:

1. From Abraham would come a great nation that God would bless with natural and spiritual prosperity.
2. God would make Abraham’s name great.
3. God would bless those that blessed Abraham’s descendants and curse those that cursed them.
4. In Abraham all the families of the earth will be blessed. This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and His work of salvation.
5. The sign of the covenant is circumcision.
6. This covenant, which was repeated to Isaac and Jacob, is confined to the Hebrew people and the 12 tribes of Israel.

The fifth dispensation is called the Dispensation of Law. It lasted almost 1,500 years, from the Exodus until it was suspended after Jesus Christ’s death.

This dispensation will continue during the Millennium, with some modifications. During the Dispensation of Law, God dealt specifically with the Jewish nation through the Mosaic Covenant, or the Law, found in Exodus chapters 19–23.

The dispensation involved temple worship directed by priests, with further direction spoken through God’s mouthpieces, the prophets. Eventually, due to the people’s disobedience to the covenant, the tribes of Israel lost the Promised Land and were subjected to bondage.

These are the five dispensations that Jacob’s 5 droves of gifts represent.

The sixth dispensation, the one in which we now live, is the Dispensation of Grace. It began with the New Covenant in Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20). This “Age of Grace” or “Church Age” occurs between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel 9:24.

It starts with the coming of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and ends with the Rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4). This dispensation is worldwide and includes both Jews and the Gentiles. Man’s responsibility during the Dispensation of Grace is to believe in Jesus, the Son of God (John 3:18).

In this dispensation the Holy Spirit indwells believers as the Comforter (John 14:16-26).

This dispensation has lasted for almost 2,000 years, and no one knows when it will end. We do know that it will end with the Rapture of all born-again believers from the earth to go to be with Christ. Following the Rapture will be the judgments of God lasting for seven years.

The seventh dispensation is called the Millennial Kingdom of Christ and will last for 1,000 years as Christ Himself rules on earth. This Kingdom will fulfil the prophecy to the Jewish nation that Christ will return and be their King. The only people allowed to enter the Kingdom are the born-again believers from the Age of Grace, righteous survivors of the seven years of tribulation, and the resurrected Old Testament saints. No unsaved person is allowed access into this kingdom. Satan is bound during the 1,000 years. This period ends with the final judgment, the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20:11-14.

The old world is destroyed by fire, and the New Heaven and New Earth of Revelation 21 and 22 will begin.

Can you see now how each story gives us particular insights into God’s overall plan?

As we tried to show last time, the specific number of Esau’s men that came to meet Jacob is mentioned, 400. This detail is included because God wants us to search out why. Otherwise, it could have just said, “the men who came with Esau.”

The number 400 here is pointing to the entire time of man’s history as a people, from his time in Eden, all the way through the kingdom age, the millennial reign which is still future to us now. It covers all of the 7 dispensations. It’s a divinely perfect period resulting in rest.

Even the name of the place where Jacob wrestled with God has a deeper picture. The Brook Jabbok where Jacob crossed over means “Pouring Out”. There will be a pouring out of God’s favour upon them, the nation Israel.  Love, grace, mercy and the like – even the Holy Spirit. But there’ll also be a pouring out of God’s wrath upon them.

Jacob named the location where he encountered God Peniel, which means “The face of God”. This is in chapter 32 verse 30.

In the verse after that, verse 31 of chapter 32 the same word is used but it’s spelt differently in the majority of translations.

Peniel, the location is spelt PENIEL while in verse 31 the spelling of Penuel is PENUEL and it isn’t speaking of the location, it’s speaking about the relationship between Jacob and the God-Man he encountered. Jacob has crossed over the Face of God. He is now, like Abraham, a Hebrew – one who crossed over.

In wrestling with this Man, Jacob will learn what it means to be reliant and dependent on God in a new way.

Again, this struggle of Jacob is reflected in Israel’s struggle with God, and it also reflects our struggle with Him too.

If we lose sight of this, then the story becomes a mere curiosity in a book of much curiosity. This cosmic wrestling match which occurred a bit less than 4000 years ago was remembered by Hosea when he reminded Israel of their responsibilities to God in Hosea 12:2-6 and I read from the New Living Translation,

Now the LORD is bringing charges against Judah. He is about to punish Jacob for all his deceitful ways and pay him back for all he has done. 

Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. 

Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him— the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, the LORD is his name! 

So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.

The struggle at night is a struggle all of us need to remember and reflect on all our days as we live in God’s presence.

Let’s cast off today in Genesis 33:1

Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. 

Jacob wants to spare his family; so he separates them from the others. It’s good to remember what these verses picture or we can miss why God’s including the detail.

Jacob pictures Christ Jesus, Leah pictures the law, Rachel pictures grace, and the two maidservants picture the two exiles of Israel. The children are the people Israel.

Verses 2 and 3

And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.  

Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times until he came near to his brother. 

Jacob’s coming with his hat in his hand, so to speak, because Esau has four hundred men with him, and Jacob doesn’t know if he is coming as a friend or foe.

After being conquered by God, Jacob now led the procession to meet Esau. This displays some of the changes in Jacob’s character.

Jacob had already sent over gifts to show he didn’t want to take anything materially from Esau. Then, by bowing down, he showed he was submitted to his brother and was not seeking power over him.

Remember that if Jacob had not tried to steal the blessing 20 years before, all this would have been unnecessary. Isaac’s promise to Jacob in Genesis 27 verse 29 would have been more immediately fulfilled,

Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, And blessed be those who bless you!” 

We so often cause problems just like Jacob did by trying to accomplish what we think to be God’s will. Likewise in our unbelief, we try to protect ourselves with our human energy and wisdom. However, God never wants us to sin to help Him fulfil His plan for our lives.

Gen 33:4

But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 

Esau ran to meet him. Well, they are twins, they’re brothers after all. This probably terrified Jacob at first. Surely, he must have thought that his life would soon end. Instead, God had worked in Esau, and he only wanted to bless Jacob.

Esau fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept: Esau and Jacob didn’t feel a need to discuss and resolve the past. God worked in both their hearts, and there was no need to discuss or argue over it all again. Let bygones be bygones

Gen 33:5-7

And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” 

Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. 

And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.

In what must have been a very moving scene, Jacob introduced his large family to his brother Esau.

To verses 8 and 9

Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” And he said, “These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.” But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 

Jacob’s generous gifts confused Esau. He didn’t expect or want these gifts, which displayed that he had no sense or feelings of superiority over Jacob, nor did not have an attitude that suggested that Jacob owed him.

I have enough says Esau. Both Esau and Jacob could both say, I have enough.

Godliness with contentment is great gain so says 1 Timothy 6:6.

Esau’s peace and contentment showed him to be a remarkably blessed man, even though he did not receive the promise of the Abrahamic covenant.

Gen 33:10-11

And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me. 

Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.  

This is almost a humorous scene.

Up to this time, each was trying to get something from the other. This was especially true of Jacob.

Now we find Jacob in a new role altogether. Here he is insisting that his brother take a gift. Esau says, “You don’t have to give it to me. I have plenty.” But Jacob insists that he accept it. For sure, something has happened to Jacob!

Esau’s receiving of the gifts was as important to the reconciliation as Jacob’s giving of the gifts. When Jacob gave such generous gifts, it was his way of saying to Esau that he was sorry, and when Esau accepted the gifts, it was his way of accepting Jacob and saying he was forgiven.

In that culture, one never accepted a gift from an enemy, only from a friend. To accept the gift was to accept the friendship.

Esau finally accepted the gift.

Gen 33:12

Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” 

Esau is saying, “Now as you return to the land, let me go before you, show you the way, and be a protection for you.”

Gen 33:13

But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. 

Esau is saying, “Now as you return to the land, let me go before you, show you the way, and be a protection for you.” Jacob was glad to be reconciled with his brother, but didn’t want to be too close to him. He was still afraid of Esau.

Gen 33:14

Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” 

Jacob says, “I’m moving my family, and we have little ones, also we have young among the flocks and herds. We can’t go very fast. You, of course, with that army of four hundred will probably want to move much faster; so you go ahead.”

Gen 33:15-16

And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” 

So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

Esau lived in southern Canaan in Seir, the “land of Edom,” at this time. After their father’s death, he moved to Mount Seir, which God subsequently gave to Esau for a possession.

Gen 33:17

And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. 

Now let’s not pass by so quickly and easily here and fail to grasp what has happened.

A great change has come over this man Jacob. You see, all of Jacob’s clever scheming to present a gift to his brother Esau wasn’t necessary. God had prepared the heart of Laban not to harm Jacob, and God had prepared the heart of Esau to receive Jacob. Now he has peace on both fronts.

Esau didn’t want Jacob’s gift because Esau himself had an abundance. When Jacob insisted, he took the gift out of courtesy. Both these brothers seem to be generous and genuine in their reconciliation. There’s no reason to doubt that. Since Esau is now prosperous, and since he attached no particular value to his birthright anyway, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be reconciled to his twin brother.

Now the sunshine is beginning to fall on Jacob’s life. Laban is appeased and Esau is reconciled. God had arranged all of this for him. Had Jacob been left to his own trickery and cleverness, he would more than likely have met his death and probably in a violent manner. Before too long Jacob’s going to look back over his life, and when he does, he’s going to see the hand of God, and he’s going to give God the glory.

However, the evil that he’s sown is yet to bring forth a full harvest. Trouble is in the background waiting for him.

Esau rides off to Seir, and we say good–bye to him for the time being. He’ll be back, however, for the funeral of his father Isaac, as we will see in chapter 35.

Gen 33:18-19

Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. 

And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money. 

Jacob is sometimes criticized because he stopped here at Succoth and at Shalem and did not proceed on to Bethel. Actually, we ought not to expect too much of Jacob at this time. He’s been crippled, and he is just learning to walk with his spiritual legs.

Gen 33:20

Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel. 

Jacob builds an altar here, just as his grandfather Abraham was accustomed to building altars wherever he went. The fine feature is that Jacob identifies his new name with the name of God. He calls it El–elohe–Israel which means, “God, the God of Israel.” This indicates real growth in a man who’s just learning to walk. Let’s put it like this. This man is on the way to Bethel, but he hasn’t arrived there yet. First, he journeys to Succoth.