Mar 14

Genesis 32:1-21
Memorise Psalm 56:3-4
“Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother… for I fear him”

Leaving the problems of Laban behind him, Jacob now commenced his journey to return to the land where he grew up. However, another huge issue awaited him there – a brother who had vowed to kill him! (Genesis 27:41). 20 years had already passed since then, but Jacob was still “greatly afraid and distressed” (Genesis 32:7) with the prospect of meeting Esau. His guilt and fear must have been plaguing him for all those years, and might very well be the reason why he was willing to stay so long in a foreign land. This was because he knew he was in the wrong, for he had betrayed the trust of his own brother. For the past 20 years he had been the one on the receiving end of deception and treachery, and now he had learnt what it is like to be treated so unjustly by his own flesh and blood!

However, he could not be running forever. God’s will was for him to return to the land of promise – the land that God had covenanted to his father. He had to resolve this conflict, in order for him to fulfil the will of God. Thus in returning to the land of Canaan, Jacob took certain precautions to ensure the safety of his family, lest Esau come to smite them (Genesis 32:7-8). He also tried very best to show his penitence to his brother, and spared no effort to appease any wrath he might still have been harbouring with generous gifts (Genesis 32:13-20). More importantly, he sought the Lord for help and guidance. As a believer, he realised that God alone was the one who was in control. The prayer that he made (Genesis 32:9-12) was a very good one, for in it he acknowledged his unworthiness and pleaded with the Lord for deliverance. The basis of his request was not for his own selfish desires, but was based on the covenantal promise that God had given him, that he would have “seed as the sand of the sea”.

Through all this, Jacob did well to deal with the guilt and fear that had been troubling him all these years. For us, we too realise that we cannot hide from our sins forever. If we have any wrongdoings that we have committed and unresolved conflicts, it is best that we seek for a speedy resolution today. Like Jacob, we must trust in the Lord who is in control. It is better to repent and suffer the consequences of our sins than to try and run from sin only to live in fear and guilt.

Thought: Repent today, or “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23)
Prayer: Lord, may You help me to resolve my conflicts in a godly way.