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 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.

...