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Introduction
1. Was Esau really planning to kill Jacob's family with his four hundred men or was his intention simply
to welcome his brother back 'home'?
2. Similarly, when Jacob crossed the Jabok River (with his wives and children), was he planning a secret
escape from this confrontation or was he simply planning to confront his brother face to face?
3. Was Yahveh's purpose in sending a angel to struggle with Jacob simply to bless him at this critical time,
or was it an attempt to thwart Jacob's planned 'escape'?
It is difficult to find precise answers to these (and many other) questions. Maybe the Torah is intentionally
vague. Let us consider the events that led up to Jacob's meeting with Esau, in an attempt to better understand the meaning
of their encounter.
"Your brother Esau is consoling himself by planning to kill you. Now, my son, listen
to me, get up and run away to Haran, to Laban my brother, until your brother's anger quells, and he will forget what you did
to him - then I will send someone to call you to return." Genesis 27:42-44
Jacob ran away from home in fear that Esau would kill him. Neither Rebekah nor Jacob knew how long this
would take, but clearly - Jacob planned to stay by Laban until 'the coast was clear'. On his way to Haran, Yahveh appeared
to him at Beth-El and assured him with Divine protection during his journey: "Behold I will be with you,
and guard you anywhere you go, and I will bring you back to this land." Genesis 28:15
Despite this promise
of protection, Yahveh never told him when he was supposed to return. Years passed, but Rebekah never sent for him. Finally,
after twenty years, Yahveh told Jacob that it was time to return home: "Return to the land of your fathers
and birth, and then I will be with you." Genesis 31:3
Did this imply that Esau was no longer a threat?
If so, why didn't Rebekah send for him? Could it be that Yahveh wanted Jacob to return, knowing that Esau was still a threat?
Did Yahveh want the two brothers to confront one another? If so, did He want them to fight or to make peace?
Yahveh wanted Jacob to return home, yet He did not tell him how to deal with Esau! When Jacob approached
the land of Israel, he saw another vision of angels who came to greet him. (Genesis 32:2-3) Was it a sign that the danger
had passed and Jacob did not have to worry about Esau? And how about Esau? Did Esau still want to kill Jacob or did he put
the past behind him?
Unsure of the situation, Jacob decided to send messengers ahead, to assess Esau's intentions. Note how his
decision came immediately after his vision, suggesting that this vision gave him the confidence to initiate an encounter.
(Genesis 32:4-5)
To his surprise, Jacob's messengers came back with an unexpected report: Esau, with four hundred men, was
on his way to meet him! There can be no doubt as to Jacob's interpretation of this report. Esau was certainly planning to
kill him!
This explains Jacob's sudden fear. Expecting that Esau was on his way to kill his entire family, Jacob
quickly divided his camp in two (to save at least half of them), then turned to Yahveh in prayer. (Genesis 32:7-12)
Jacob's
prayer reflected this predicament. Yahveh told him to return and promised to protect him, yet, he was never told to initiate
an encounter with Esau.
Did Jacob think he made a mistake? Maybe he was supposed to return to Canaan and avoid Esau entirely? Did
he 'sin' by sending the messengers? Did Yahveh want him to stay away from Esau and his bad influence?
Note how Jacob's prayer reflected this. "And Jacob said: The Elohim of my father Abraham,
who told me, Return to your homeland and I will be with you (protect you)." Genesis 32:10
Jacob first
reminded Yahveh that it was His idea for him to return, and that He promised to protect him, concluding that maybe he did
something wrong. (Genesis 32:11) Afraid for his life, Jacob continued: "Save me from Esau my brother,
lest he come to kill me, mothers and children alike. But You promised me that you would be with me and that my offspring would
be numerous like the sand of sea." Genesis 32:12-13
Finally Jacob prayed that even if he deserved to die,
Yahveh should at least save his children, as He promised to his forefathers. Surprisingly, though Jacob prayed, Yahveh didn't
give him an immediate answer! What should he do?
What Should Jacob Do?
Jacob was in a predicament. What did Yahveh want him to do? Should he confront Esau? Should he try to
appease him or should he stand up and fight for what is right? And who was right - wasn't it Jacob who stole the blessings?
Should he run away directly to the land of Israel? Maybe that's what Yahveh wanted him to do? Maybe only there will he be
protected? Or, maybe he should hide his wife and children, and then face Esau himself?
After praying, Jacob prepared an elaborate 'peace offering' for his brother, hoping that his brother will
change his mind. (Genesis 32:13-20) Nevertheless, Jacob instructed his men to leave a gap between each flock of animals. In
other words, he wanted this 'offering' to be presented very slowly, in stages. Then he commanded each group to make the same
statement: "When Esau will meet and ask who you are and where you are going and who are these for? Answer
him, they are a present from your servant Jacob - and he is right behind us, on his way to meet you as well." Genesis
32:17-18
What was the purpose of these 'gaps' and the repeated message of "Jacob is right behind us"? Was it to gradually
'soften up' Esau. Or was Jacob trying something 'tricky' again, and these gaps and offering were part of a decoy, to stall
Esau's imminent attack, thus providing Jacob with more time to run away, or at least to hide his wives and children...
That very same evening, Jacob took his two wives, two maidservants, and his eleven children and crossed
the Jabok River (Genesis 32:21-23) however, it's not clear why he decided to cross this river, and what his intentions
were! Was this part of his original plan or was he running away! If so, it means that the 'gaps' and the message that 'Jacob
is right behind us' is part of his plan to run away to save his life.
Jacob's struggle with the Angel?
That evening, as Jacob was crossing the
river with his family, Yahveh sent an Angel who struggled with him until the morning. (Genesis 32:24-25) Was this a "divine
intervention" - to keep him from running away? Was Jacob's injury a punishment for running away? This would explain Jacob's
request for a blessing.
The Angel blessed Jacob by changing his name from Jacob, implying trickery, to Israel - meaning
'ability to stand up and fight' and instructed him not to run away, but rather, to encounter his brother. (Genesis 32:28)
When the sun rose, Jacob looked up and saw Esau and his four hundred men. (Genesis 33:1) It was too late to run. Still fearing
his brother, he tried to save at least some of his family by splitting them into groups, then, he faced Esau directly, bowing
down seven times, still trying to 'appease' his brother. (Genesis 33:2-3)
To Jacob's surprise, Esau greeted him with
hugs and kisses, in what appeared to be a very friendly and brotherly manner. (Genesis 33:4)
Jacob was most surprised when Esau greeted him with hugs and kisses. Was it his efforts that caused his
brother to change his mind, or was Esau planning all along for this friendly encounter, as proven by the fact that he
cried? Esau even invited him to join him on his return trip to Se'ir! That we may never know...
But Jacob preferred to travel slowly at his own pace, 'promising' to arrive in Se'ir at a later time. (Genesis
33:12-14)
What can we learn from this story?
There are times when we are called to appease the enemy and there are times when we must take action, and
still at other times it may be better to remain passive. Nevertheless, in every situation, we must both pray and act.
When the way is not clear, we pray that Yahveh will not only assist us but that He will send some sort of an 'angel' (divine
intervention) to assure that we follow the right direction.
Jacob left this encounter not only limping, but also 'contemplating' and 'wondering'. He continued on his
journey to Beth-El, ready to face any future encounter with prayer, wisdom, action, faith and resolve. So too, with all
of us; there are times to stand up and fight and there are times to attempt appeasement. There are times to struggle, and
even remain limping. Yet we continue to pray and persevere, with an unyielding resolve to follow Yahveh and to fulfill
our calling.
What is so important about names?
Jacob's name was changed to Israel, and it happened twice! Why?
Jacob's name change to Israel was very different from Abram's name change to Abraham. With AbraHam
- a single letter ("heh") was added to his existing name. (Genesis 17:1-5) In contrast - the name Israel was an entirely new
name and served as an alternate name for Jacob, while the name Abraham served as a replacement. What was even more peculiar
about Jacob's name change was that it happened twice: Once, in the aftermath of his struggle at Peni'el, prior to his
confrontation with Esau (Genesis 32:24-30) and later, in Yahveh's revelation to him at Beth-El. (Genesis 35:9-13)
Returning
To Beth-El
Jacob's return to Beth-El, as described in Genesis 35:9-15, was a prophetic highlight of his return
to the land of Canaan. It was at this very site that Yahveh first appeared to him, promising him that he was the 'chosen'
son. (Genesis 28:12-14) At Beth-El Yahveh promised to look after his needs during his journey and stay in Haran. Beth-El was
also the place where Abraham built an altar and 'called out in Yahveh's Name'.
In Beth-El Yahveh not only confirmed
Jacob's election (over his older brother, Esau) but also changed his name to Israel: "And Yahveh appeared
again to Jacob on his arrival from Padan-Aram, and blessed him: You, whose name is Jacob, shall be called Jacob no more, but
Israel shall be your name. Thus He named him Israel, and Yahveh said to him: I am El Shaddai, be fertile and increase. The
land that I have given to Abraham and Isaac I give to you and to your offspring to come." Genesis 35:9-16
This
blessing of "seed and land" is significant because it is the last time that we find it in the book of Genesis, thus suggesting
that the election process was finally complete! The fact that this blessing also included Jacob's name change to Israel points
to a connection between his name change and the conclusion of the election process. From this point, all of Jacob's children
(and grandchildren etc.) are chosen (unlike with Abraham and Isaac, where only one child was chosen) and will become
the nation of Israel, hence the name change to Israel.
Even though the Torah only tells us that a 'man' struggled with Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:25), the continuation
of this story (when this 'man' blesses him (Genesis 32:26-30) supports the interpretation that it was a ministering angel,
intentionally sent by Yahveh to confront Jacob.
But why would Yahveh send this 'man' at this critical time? To appreciate why, let us consider the events
that led up to this final 'showdown' with Esau.
1. Jacob, using trickery, bought the 'election blessing' from Esau.
2. Isaac planned to bless Esau with prosperity and power, but through 'trickery' Jacob 'stole' that blessing.
3. Jacob had to 'run away' in fear of Esau.
4. Jacob spent twenty years with
Laban, often suffering from Laban's 'trickiness'.
5. Jacob 'ran away' from Padan Aram, in fear of Laban.
6. Jacob prepared to confront Esau and offered to be his slave.
7. Finally, Yahveh sent a 'man'
to confront Jacob.
Jacob, it seemed, was either using deceit or 'running away' in order to survive or get what he wanted.
Now that it had been divinely determined that Jacob was to be the only chosen son, Yahveh found it necessary for Jacob to
develop leadership traits arranging a direct confrontation with Esau.
Why Twice?
Jacob's new name was significant because it reflected his capability to engage in battle. In order to become the
Nation of Israel, this trait, represented by the name Israel, was essential. Yet the name Jacob also remained, for
there would be times when 'passiveness' will be the proper avenue.
For Jacob, receiving his 'new name' was not sufficient. Yahveh Himself found it necessary to later confirm
his name 'Israel' together with his election, at Beth-El, the very site where Jacob was first promised it. Thus, the
blessings that Jacob received through trickery was now bestowed upon him properly.
Conclusion
Jacob's name change to 'Israel' marked the conclusion of the election process, and the
beginning of the formation of Yahveh's special nation.
Although Jacob's personality remained dormant for several generations,
it remained a part of his character which was passed on to his children Judah and Josepf, along with the leadership.
(Genrsis 49:8-26)
Throughout the rest of the Bible, the name Jacob interchanges with
Israel. This suggests that each name reflects a different aspect of Israel's character. There were times to
act as 'Jacob', and there were times when the more active and nationalistic characteristics of Israel must be employed.
Ultimately, as the prophet Obadiah said, the day will come when: "Deliverers
shall march up on Mount Zion to bring judgement on the Mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall
belong to Yahveh." Obadiah 1:21
Because of the significance of the special name, Israel,
the election process had to continue for another generation past Isaac, and establish the elimination
(rejection) of Esau. The Bible clearly tells us that Jacob and Esau
cannot co-exist!
"But upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be
holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. There shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for
Yahveh had spoken it." Obadiah 1:17-18
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