Forward, before his family; like a good father, exposing himself to the greatest danger. (Menochius) --- Seven times, to testify his great humility and respect for his brother. How, then, can any one find fault with Catholics, if they bow down before the cross thrice on Good Friday, to testify their great veneration for their expiring Lord? read more
1-16 Jacob, having by prayer committed his case to God, went on his way. Come what will, nothing can come amiss to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob bowed to Esau. A humble, submissive behaviour goes far towards turning away wrath. Esau embraced Jacob. God has the hearts of all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases. It is not in vain to trust in God, and to call upon him in the day of trouble. And when a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies... read more
Jacob's meeting with Esau v. 1. And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. Jacob had joined his caravan and continued his march. He no longer looked for the approach of Esau with anxious apprehension, but with cheerful expectation. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. v. 2. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.... read more
FIFTH SECTIONJacob’s return. His fear of Esau. His night wrestlings with God. Peniel. The name Israel. Meeting and reconciliation with Esau. Genesis 32:3 to Genesis 33:163And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned [have been a stranger] with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and... read more
Jacob and Esau Reconciled Genesis 33:1-17 Many things, like this meeting with Esau, are worse in anticipation than in actuality. The brothers were on the same old terms as before that filching of Isaac’s blessing. The holy transactions of the previous night had induced this change in the atmosphere. If our ways please the Lord, He will make our enemies to be at peace with us. We must win power with God, by yielding to Him, before we can have power with our Esaus and prevail. When you fear... read more
The morning broke and Jacob-or Israel as he had now become- went forward to meet Esau. How strange a mixture there was in the make-up of this man is once more clearly evident. It is patent that fear of his brother still lurked in his heart and there is a touch of nobleness in his going forward alone to meet him, having set his loved ones behind in two companies. Moreover, his love of Rachel is again manifest as he put her in the second company, so that if Esau met him in anger she, at any... read more
A HAPPY REUNION‘He came near to his brother.’ Genesis 33:3 Here is one of the affecting scenes in which Scripture abounds, the stalwart hunter rushing into his brother’s arms, and kissing him, and both weeping at such a meeting after a separation of twenty years. Cf. the demonstrations of affection between Joseph and Benjamin, David and Jonathan, the prodigal and his father. I. Jacob’s piety is manifested in his recognition of God’s goodness.—The name of God does not once, in the whole... read more
‘And he himself went before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times until he came near to his brother.’ Bowing seven times was reserved for extremely important people who demanded great subservience. The petty princes of Palestine ‘bowed seven times’ to Pharaoh in the Amarna letters (14th century BC). Usually a single bow would be given (Genesis 18:2; Genesis 19:1). Jacob was giving Esau royal treatment. read more
Genesis 33. The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau. Genesis 33:1-Esther : is in the main from J, but bits of E have been woven in ( Genesis 33:5 b, Genesis 33:10 b, Genesis 33:11 a). The actual course of events, however, is not clear. According to E, Jacob had prepared a very costly present for Esau, and reading our narrative as if it carried on Genesis 32:13 b – Genesis 32:21, we should gain the impression that at the point reached in Genesis 33:1 Esau had already received the gifts... read more
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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 33:1-3
The passing over of Jacob, before his family, should remind us of Christ's unequalled love, in the moment of danger, amidst his disciples in the garden. John 18:8 . read more