Jacob Seeks Peace

Jacob had already said goodbye to Laban. Now he was heading home with his family and his animals.

Ahead lay the land where he had grown up.

And his brother Esau.

Many years had passed since they had last seen each other. Jacob remembered tricking his brother, and how angry Esau had been.

What would it be like to meet again?

Jacob did not know yet.

Along the way, some angels of God came to meet him. When he saw them, Jacob remembered that he was not alone.

God was still caring for him.

Then he sent messengers to tell Esau that he was coming home.

He wanted to speak respectfully and seek peace.

The messengers went ahead along the road. Jacob waited for them near the tents.

When they returned, they brought news.

“Esau is coming to meet you. And he is accompanied by four hundred men.”

Four hundred!

That was a lot of people.

Jacob felt afraid. He thought about Rachel, Leah, and all the children. He wanted his family to be safe.

He did not know whether Esau was coming to hug him or whether he still wanted to hurt him.

So he divided the people and animals into two groups. If one group was in danger, the other could get away.

But Jacob also did something very important.

He talked to God.

He remembered that God had told him to return and promised to be with him.

Then he looked at his family and the flocks.

When he had left home, he had carried very little. Now he had so much to be thankful for.

“My God, you have been very good to me. I am afraid of my brother Esau. Please take care of my family and help me.”

Jacob did not have to hide his feelings from God.

He could tell God about his fear and ask for help.

That night, Jacob prepared a gift for Esau.

He chose goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys from his flocks.

The animals would travel in several groups, one after another, with space between them.

Jacob called the men who would lead them.

“Take these animals to my brother Esau. Tell him they are a gift from Jacob and that I am coming behind you.”

He wanted his brother to know that he was seeking peace.

The first animals began to walk.

The sheep bleated while the goats followed the path. Farther back came the camels and the other animals.

Jacob stayed in the camp for a while.

He still had many things to think about.

Jacob could not decide what Esau would do. But he could approach humbly, care for his family, and ask God for help.

Seeking peace begins with admitting the hurt we have caused and treating the other person with respect. The gifts were already on their way. An important night still lay ahead, but Jacob had taken a first step toward making peace.