ABC Deaf 303�Jacob and Esau
Lesson 7
Jacob and Esau are Reunited
Genesis 32:1-35:28
Laban returns home. Jacob goes to the hill country of Gilead. The angels of God meet him. Jacob sees them, and says, “This is the army of God!” He names this place Mahanaim. His twin brother Esau is living in the land of Edom in the Seir mountains.�
Jacob sends messengers to Esau. They tell him, “Your servant Jacob has been staying with Laban. He has cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and servants. He is sending this message to you. He hopes to please you.”
The messengers return and report, “Esau is coming to meet you. Four hundred men are with him.” Jacob is very frightened.�
Jacob divides his people and flocks into two groups. If Esau attacks one group the other group might escape.�
Jacob prays, “Lord, you told me to go back to my country and my relatives. You will make me prosper. I am unworthy of Your kindness and faithfulness. Save me from Esau. I am afraid he will come and attack us. You promise to make my children as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. People will not be able to count them. ”�
Jacob choses a gift for Esau: 200 female goats and 20 male goats, 200 ewes and 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. He put each herd by itself. He put his servants in charge of them and told them, “Go on ahead of me. Keep some space between the herds.”�
The servants meet Esau. They report who they are and who has sent them. “These are a gift sent to my Lord Esau from Jacob who is following behind us.”�
That night Jacob sends his family and possessions across the Jabbok River. Jacob is left alone.�
A man wrestles with him until morning. The man sees he can’t win. He touches the inside of Jacob’s hip. As Jacob wrestled with the man, Jacob’s hip is twisted. The man says, “Let me go. It is morning.”�But Jacob replies, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”�The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. The man said, “Your name will not be Jacob anymore. Instead, it will be Israel. You have wrestled with God and with people. And you have won.”�
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” The man replies, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blesses Jacob. Jacob calls the place Peniel, saying, “I saw God face to face, and I am still alive.” Jacob is limping because of his hip. To this day, Israelites do not eat the meat attached to the inside of an animal's hip.
Jacob sees Esau and his 400 men coming towards him.�Jacob puts the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.�
Jacob goes on ahead. When he comes near his brother, he bows down to the ground seven times.
Esau runs to meet Jacob. He hugs him and throws his arms around his neck. He kisses him. They cry for joy. Esau looks around and sees the women and children. “Who are these people with you?” he asks. Jacob says, “They are the children God has kindly given to me.”
“What’s the meaning of all these flocks you sent?” asked Esau. “I hope to please you,” Jacob replies. Esau does not want the gift but Jacob insists. Esau accepts the gifts. They go on their way. Esau thinks Jacob will follow him to Edom.
Jacob goes to Succoth. He builds a place for himself, and shelters for his livestock. From there he travels to Shechem in Canaan. He purchases land. Jacob sets up his tens. He makes an altar there. �
Later, God tells Jacob to go live at Bethel. The place where God has promised to look after him. Jacob obeys and builds an altar to God. He tells his family, “Hand over all your foreign gods and the rings in your ears.” Jacob buries them under the oak at Shechem.
Jacob then moves on from Bethel. As they approach Ephrath (Bethlehem) his wife Rachel begins to give birth. She has a hard time and dies. The baby survives. He is named Benjamin.�
Rachel is buried at Ephrath. Jacob sets a pillar above her tomb. Jacob now has twelve sons.�
Isreal (Jacob) moves on again. He goes home to his father Isaac. Isaac lives 180 years. When he dies both Jacob and Esau mourn him. Together, they bury him.�
7. What does Jacob bury under the oak at Shechem?
8. Which son is born just before Rachel dies?
7. A
Jacob buries the family idols under the oak at Shechem.
Genesis 35:4
8. B
Benjamin is born just before Rachel dies?
Genesis 35:18
9. Who dies after living 180 years?
10. What important lesson does this story teach us?
A. God always keeps His promises, even when His people struggle with sin and suffering�B. Christians never experience hardship�C. God only blesses perfect people�D. Fear is stronger than faith
9. C
Isaac lives 180 years.
Genesis 35:28
10. A
This story teaches us God always keeps His promises, even when His people struggle with sin and suffering.�