Jacob had seen God face to face as he wrestled with him through the night. Not only was his thigh dislocated by the blow God gave him v25 but the sinew shrank v32. The hip bone perhaps went back into place and the sinew stayed shrunken enough to cause the limp! (Dake’reference Bible)
What has happened in your life to cause you to limp?
Jacobs defeat resulted in his blessing. His weakness made him strong. God gave him a limp to encourage a faith walk. 1 Cor 1:27 & 2 Cor 12:9, 10
The Israelites therefore did not eat this part of the meat joint because they respected what God had done in Jacob and recognised that they had similar weaknesses. Do we feed off others faults and failures when they are exposed? Matthew 7:1-5
The picture now is Jacob limping off as the sun breaks on a new day It is a fresh start. God loves to give us new beginnings.
Genesis 33:1-3 Seeing what you dreaded - coming towards you.
The Rabbis comment that Jacob placed his wives and family in position so that - the more behind - the more beloved! Are you feeling last in the queue? Sometimes God puts you at the back because you are His beloved.
Was Jacob terrified when he saw Esau coming with 400 men? Was he acting in panic. Matthew Henrys says some think the words “now Jacob lifted his eyes” actually means he had a cheerful confidence. After all he had just had an encounter with the living God and I believe he might well have been at peace about the future outcome with Esau. Proverbs 16:7
When we entrust all to God we become immune to fear of the future because we can’t lose. Like Jacob we can set ourselves up on the “watchtower” to see what God will do. See Genesis 31:49
Note that Jacob approached Esau in humility - he bowed seven times as he approached - denoting perfect submission despite the prophecy that others would bow to him Genesis 27:29.
God loves us to walk in humility. James 4:10. In Gods order - the way down is the way up. Jesus humbled Himself - even unto death. Philippines 2:3-11.
Genesis 33:4-11 Seeing that God had been working behind the scenes.
Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him. God had certainly changed Esau’s heart although there was possibly now no reason for Esau to hold onto the grudge because he had become a wealthy man - and he had never valued the spiritual birthright in the first place.
Jacob sees that God has been at work and says to Esau - “I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God.” Remembering that he himself had just seen the “face of God” and been accepted - Jacob is a changed man.
Instead of grasping the blessings- now Jacob wants to bless. He says v.11 “Please take my blessing” Jacob is an older, wiser man. When Jacob gave gifts to Esau I believe he was in effect giving them to the Lord as he had promised in Genesis 28:22. This is the model of how we should give.
God had changed both men! They both said “I have enough.” However the wording used by Esau has the sense of “I have much” whereas with Jacob it seems to have the sense of “I have ALL.” Jacob had learned the secret of appreciating the true riches and blessing of walking with God.
Genesis 33:12-16. Seeing God’s tender heart!
Look at the two companies! Esau looked to be mighty, powerful and affluent whereas Jacob had no retinue with him - just his family household. Esau may have considered Jacob to be ill equipped and so initially he offered to go before Jacob and when this was declined he suggests that he leave some servants behind - Jacobs response is “what need?” Esau had an army of men to protect him - Jacob was dependent on Gods protection - he had an army of angels around him!! Who or what are we dependent on?
Whilst Jacob said he would travel on to Seir - it looks like he had no notion of going there. He is still operating at times in the old nature!
But just look at Jacob’s heart - v12-14. This reflects the heart of God as He leads us through life. He knows how difficult it is for us sometimes ….to move in transition from one life situation to another. (e.g. bereavement, hurt,
injustice, loss of finances, position, health etc.)
Whatever life has hit you with - the Lord wants to lead you gently through
and take you to another place with Him. However He understands your weaknesses and knows how far you can travel at a time.
Genesis 33:17-20 Settling too soon.
Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built himself a house. He temporarily stopped living the pilgrim life. He should have gone on to Bethel but as Vernon McKee states….he had just been crippled and was just getting used to his spiritual legs. God understands how far we can go and He is far more understanding and loving than we sometimes think.
However, Jacob may have stayed in Succoth for about 10 years before moving to live on the outskirts of the pagan city of Shechem and purchasing some land there.
Genesis 33:20 Setting up an altar for God.
In verse 20 we see Jacob building an altar and He calling it El Elohe Israel - Mighty God is the God of Israel. He was declaring his personal relationship with the living God. God had brought him home to Esau in peace - but he was still not in the place where God wanted him. He was in a pagan place far from Bethel.
Lessons for life.
Are you limping? God wants it to develop your faith walk.
Are you dreading? God wants you to know He is in control.
Are you blessing? You will receive more! Luke 6:38
Are you changing? Allow God to have His way.
Are you journeying? Don’t settle too soon.
Are you worshipping? This is the result of leaning on God.