In chapter 32 we find Jacob on his way home. He knows that his brother Esau is there and knows that Esau may be angry still. Therefore he sent servants ahead to tell Esau he was coming and that he wanted peace between the two of them. The servants delivered the message to Esau as they were instructed. Esau then set out to meet Jacob. He had four hundred men with him. When the servants returned they told Jacob that Esau and a small host were coming to meet him. Jacob was afraid there would be trouble so he split his possessions into two groups. One group was sent by a different route. Jacob reasoned that if there was trouble and Esau wiped out one group the other would survive. That night he divided his possessions once more. This time has was preparing a peace offering for Esau. It consisted of two hundred she goats, twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, twenty rams, thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, ten bulls, twenty she donkeys, and ten foals. He had the gifts sent in different groups so that Esau would receive one group. Then later he would receive another group and so on until finally he met up with Jacob.

The Bible shifts for a moment and gives the account of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord that night. He wanted the Angel of the Lord to bless him and refused to let go until he got what he wanted. He finally did receive his blessing. He would be safe with Esau. He not only received a blessing but he also received a new name. God changed his name to Israel. The angel told him his name was changed because he had proven that he had power with God by prevailing over the angel. Israel named the place where this took place Peniel for he had seen the Lord face to face and his life was preserved. Then he made contact with Esau and his host. He put Leah and her children in the front, then then the maids, and finally Rachel and Joseph. Esau asked him why he had sent him gifts and refused them as he had plenty. Israel had him take the gifts anyway. Trouble was overted.

EXAM QUESTIONS

  1. ________________’s name was _____________ to

    2. ________________.

  2. This was because he had ________________ in his

    3. _________________ match with the ______________ of the

    ___________________.

  3. He named the place where this happened ______________
  4. As a peace offering to Esau Israel sent ________ she goats,

    5. _______ he goats, ______ewes, ________ rams, _______

    camels, _______ kine, ________ bulls, _________ she

    donkeys, and _______ foals.

  5. When they met Esau Israel put _______ first, followed by

The ___________________ and then ______________.