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 Edamites. 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 every one 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 3210, he says, I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of

steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have 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.

If someone sent me 550 farm animals in the

mail I would not view that as a gift but these are different times. Then he sent his

wives and kids ahead of him and spent the night alone. During the night he wrestled with

God. Doesn't most of your wrestling with God happen when you're alone and even at night?

Jacob is literally wrestling though.

He doesn't appear to be having a vision.

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