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 sends some messengers

ahead of him to smooth things over if they encounter Esau, and the messengers come back saying,

he's coming and he's got 400 guys with him. Uh-oh. So Jacob divides every one and everything in half

so that if Esau attacks, he can'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 remembers God's words and appeals to him with reminders of his specific promises to their

family. Then he sends 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 sends his wives and kids ahead of him and spends the night

alone. During the night, he wrestles 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.

This doesn't appear to be a metaphor, mainly because he leaves with an injury.

This instance is another theophani, an appearance of God on earth.

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