Chapter 32 & 33:Jacob came to terms with God
Jacob went on his way and the army of the Lord met him at Mahanaim (army of the Lord), to escort him. Now his fear was for Esau. He sent a forward party to seek Esau's forgiveness. When the messengers returned to inform him that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men, he was worried. Even the army of the Lord was not enough to assure him. His intuition was not God but his own ability. He split the group into two so that at least one could make it when the other was attacked.
He then held God responsible for his safety. He called upon the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac. "God I acknowledged that you have blessed me so far. But I want to remind you that it was you who asked me to return home and you did promised to make me a great nation. So I am holding you to your promise. You have to protect me from Esau."
Better safe than sorry. Ho harm giving God a helping hand by appeasing his brother with gifts. He divided the gifts into droves. The first drove would have 200 she-goats and 20 he-goats, the second would have 200 ewes and 20 rams, the third would be 30 milch camels and their colts, and the fourth were 40 cows and 10 bulls. The final protection would be 20 she-asses and 10 he-asses. He sent these gifts before him.
Did he felt secured? No, he then sent everyone across the ford of Jabbok so that he could be alone to worry sick. God came to him that night and Jacob finally saw his own limitation and would not let go of God until God bless him, even though he was in pain from a dislocated joint.
God blessed him and changed his name to Israel - the one who prevailed over man and God. So Jacob finally came to term with God. He named the place Peniel - I have seen God face to face and yet not die.
That did not mean that Jacob had overcome his worry. When he saw Esau, he divided his family into three parties. Bilhah, Zilpah and their children as the first party. Leah and her children as the second party. Rachel and Joseph as the last party. He walked in front to greet Esau, bowing to the ground seven times until he came near to Esau.
Esau was so happy to see his brother and his family. He did not think any gifts were necessary - "What is the meaning of all the gifts? I have enough. Keep them for yourself." Jacob insisted that Esau should accept the gifts because he was so happy that everything ended up so well. Esau even offered to leave some of his men to help get Jacob settled down. Jacob politely turned down the offer.
So Jacob's anxiety was for nothing. If only he had known God like Abraham and Isaac, he would not have to be so stressed out.
So Esau and his men returned to Seir and Jacob journeyed to Succoth and settled there. Jacob then went to the city of Shechem and bought a piece of land, for 100 pieces of qesitah, from Shecham's father. There he erected his first altar to God and named it El-El'ohe-Israel (the God of Israel). Finally Jacob found God. He is now the God of Israel.
There is no one formula for getting to know God. Some responded with trust, others wanted God to prove Himself first. We can all find God if we opened our eyes and looked around us. Of course Jacob's way is the hard way and Abraham and Isaac's way is the easier way. So each of us have to decide which way we want to go.
