Jacob prepared to meet his brother, Esau

Summary of Genesis 32:1-8

Jacob flees from Esau because he took Isaac’s blessing and threatened to kill him, now he is coming back to make peace. He sent messengers and offered to give him animals and servants. The messengers return to Jacob, saying Esau is coming to meet him, with 400 men. Jacob was afraid, and he split the people and animals into two groups, so if one got attacked, another could escape.

Questions

3. a. What did God do to prepare Jacob to meet Esau? (See also 2 Kings 6:8-23; Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:22; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Hebrews 1:14.) God sent angles to meet him.

b. b. What caused Jacob to fear meeting his brother, Esau, again? (See Genesis 25:27-34; 27:35-41; 32:6.) Esau was a skillful hunter. Jacob stole Esau’s blessing, and he has a grudge against Jacob. He said he would kill Jacob. And now he is coming with four hundred men.

4. a. Describe Jacob’s strategy for preparing to meet Esau. In verses 7 and 8, he divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group,[d] the group[e] that is left may escape.”

b. What does Jacob’s response reveal about him? He is easily fearful and forgot that God had sent his angels to meet him.

5. a. In what situations might you be making decisions or responding based on fear or uncertainty? When uncertainty happens and when things aren’t going according to initial plans.

b. What specific truth of God can give you needed perspective in your challenge? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:26-27)