Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

Yesterday, Jacob and his family fled from Laban to head back toward Canaan, which is where

his brother Esau lives, the one who wanted to kill him.

Obviously, Jacob has no idea how things will go if and when he encounters Esau, which

would make most people a little bit nervous.

By the way, Esau lives in an area called Edom, which is why the descendants of Esau

are called Edomites.

We'll see that term a lot in the future.

Jacob sent some messengers ahead of him to smooth things over if they encountered Esau,

and the messengers came back saying, he's coming and he's got 400 guys with him.

Uh oh.

So Jacob divided everyone and everything in half so that if Esau attacked, he couldn't

take it all.

He's strategic, he's maybe driven by fear, but there's also this really beautiful moment

where he's humbled and he praises God for his provision.

He acknowledges his reality.

In 32 9, we see the first time Jacob addresses God by his name.

And in 32 10, he says, I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love

and all the faithfulness that you've shown to your servant.

And in the midst of fearing the worst, Jacob remembered God's words and appealed to

him with reminders of his specific promises to their family.

Then he sent a present ahead to Esau to appease him.

...