Bible Talks: The Story of Jacob

From: Messages of God's Love: 1966

Gen. 32:13-21¹³And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; ¹⁴Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, ¹⁵Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals. ¹⁶And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove. ¹⁷And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? ¹⁸Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us. ¹⁹And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him. ²⁰And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. ²¹So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company. (Genesis 32:13‑21)

IT WAS a true indication of spiritual progress when Jacob presented his cause to God in the preceding verses. Except for his earlier experience at Beth-el, when he had answered God’s promises with many “ifs,” there is no previous record of his ever lifting up his voice to God, although there were several instances of God speaking to him. But we have noticed his increased trust in God as he left Haran, his refence to the care of God when addressing Laban, and now his plea to God for His deliverance from his brother’s wrath.

But Jacob was slow to fall back in complete confidence even after these expressions of dependence on God. He seemed yet to have more confidence in his own plans than in the God to whom he had prayed. After his prayer we read: “And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats,...for he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. So went the present over before him; and himself lodged that night in the company.” vv. 13-21. It was the old Jacob at work again, scheming out his own means of preservation in the face of difficulties. What amazing grace that God, nonetheless, heard his prayer and brought events about in His own way, even though Jacob’s acts showed continued lack of faith. Such are God’s ways with His own. He may allow lessons to be learned through trying circumstances when one walks in his own way (as was the case with Jacob), yet we have His own promise: “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Prov. 16:9⁹A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. (Proverbs 16:9).

If Jacob had just walked in faith at this time he would have had nothing to fear from Esau. Was not the angelic host that met him a very true token of the power that surrounded him at all times and that would preserve him through every danger?

The believer who reviews this story of Jacob should find much for profit, as indeed is the case with all the narratives of the Holy Scriptures. If Jacob was shown an angelic host sent to encourage him on the way, the Christian also has a similar provision. We are told that angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister [serve] for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Heb. 1:14¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14). Unlike Jacob, a believer may not actually see the angels who surround him at all times, but faith responds to this assurance and the dependent child of God will often be aware of their preserving care in the midst of life’s many hazards.

Again we are reminded that the Apostle Paul found the true secret of drawing strength from God when he heard the heavenly voice say: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” His response was, “Therefore I take pleasures in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9,10⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9‑10). The Lord delights to manifest His strength on behalf of His own, when self-confidence is cast aside and true dependence is in Him whose strength thus displays itself in so many marvelous ways.

ML-11/27/1966

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