Providential Policy

Then Jacob lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two servant-women.

And he put the servant-women and their children first, and Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph after them.

But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

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

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

Then the servant-women came near with their children, and they bowed down.

Leah likewise came near with her children, and they bowed down; and afterward Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed down.

And he said, “What do you mean by all these camps which I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.”

But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother; let what you have be your own.”

And Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

“Please take my blessing which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have everything.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

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

But he said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak and that the flocks and herds which are nursing are a care to me. And if they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die.

“Please let my lord pass on before his servant, and I will lead on slowly, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”

Then Esau said, “Please let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “Why do this? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”

So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

But Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built for himself a house and made booths for his livestock; therefore the place is named Succoth.

Now Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city.

Then he bought a portion of a field where he had pitched his tent from the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred qesitah.

Then he set up there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

Reconciliation - A change or exchange. A change of state from enmity and fragmentation to harmony and fellowship

Reunion

A coming together after being separated. It has been 20 years since Jacob and Esau have seen each other. Much has changed.

Remorse

A step toward repentance, but the center of remorse is on man, while repentance centers on God. Jacob has deep regret, he is guilty of deception. Guilt is an action, shame is the experience or feeling.

Redemption

The release of people, animals, or property from bondage through outside help. Only someone strong enough, or rich enough can redeem. The encampment of the Angels of God brings the “outside” help for redemption.

Separation - Divided through an act of consecration.

Process

Biblical separation is not instantaneous. The theological term is sanctification; this is the process through studying, working, praying, fasting, etc., in becoming holy. Esau goes to Seir and Jacob heads toward Succoth, they are opposite of one another.

Peaceful

This word implies a smooth transition. Even though tension still exists, Jacob and Esau each present their plans of movement and gifts before each other; the giving of and receiving of the gifts.

Prolonged Stay

The separation is prolonged; an investment into the local economy, land, and culture of the local. Esau heads back to the territory he has conquered, and Jacob is heading back to the territory that has been promised to him by Yahweh.

Return to the Promise Land - The land by which Yahweh has promised to Abraham and his family

Confirming

The entire passage confirms God’s faithfulness to His promises. He promised Jacob children, land, and polity. God separates His approach and confirmation from the approach of the world and how the world confirms things.

Conclusive

Succoth or “Booths” is remembered through the Feasts of Tabernacles. This feast will be introduced after the rebellion of Sinai. Jacob and Israel are used depending on the singular or pluralistic context. Jacob is used twice as much as Israel. One deals with the person and another deals with the nation. Jacob builds the “booths” for his flocks and herds.

Conforming

The problem with human beings is that we begin to conform with those around us. Jacob becomes like the people in the Canaanite area. This is first seen through the purchase of the land, and the amount that he spent for that land. Jacob gives the idea that he is wealthy. Second, is the building of the altar. It is an attempt by Jacob to synchronize the views of God and the world around him. This will be revived in the theological debate with the woman at the well in John 4.

Conclusion

If you want to know the “plans” of God, look for these three policies that God puts into place. Look for the areas of reconciliation, separation, and a return to the promise land. All of these things are part of God’s plan.

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