Geneses Chapter 33- Encounter

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Geneses Chapter 33- Encounter

The Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.33.NIV

Jacob Meets Esau

1 Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants.

2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. (When Jacob met Esau he divided his people into two, according to his favored priority.)

3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. (But he risked the unknown danger by himself.)

4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (Esau, however embraced long time missing brother Jacob with welcoming heart. Esau left his father Isaac but became a patriarch by himself.)

5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

6 Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down.

7 Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down. (Jacob introduced his own wives and children according to the procession.)

8 Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?” “To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said. (When Esau asked about the animals presented to him, Jacob answered that they are to ask favor of Esau. He was earnest and humble enough, valuing the Kingdom of God more than his own pride.)

9 But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” (Esau declined the gifts with good will.)

10 “No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, (Col. 3:23-24, Lk. 17:7-10) now that you have received me favorably.

11 Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” (Jacob insisted his gifts because seeing Esau was like seeing the face of God, which means, Jacob saw that God is the One who governs all of this encounter.) And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it. (Eventually, Jacob achieved his intention over Esau.)

12 Then Esau said, “Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.” (Esau was willing to escort Jacob on his way.)

13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die.

14 So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.” (Jacob declined Esau's protection with practical reasons. But there was one more important reason; not to be companied with Esau, even Jacob promised to join Esau at Seir, which was a newly settled place of Esau. Separation means Sanctification.)

15 Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.” “But why do that?” Jacob asked. “Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.” (Jacob humbled himself to Esau in every way for the sake of peaceful resolution.)

16 So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. (Esau left Jacob to Seir.)

17 Jacob, however, went to Sukkoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Sukkoth. (Jacob settled in Sukkoth, but not Seir.)

18 After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. (Jacob moved forward to Shechem which is, finally, in Canaan.) (Map 28-4)

19 For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. (He purchased a piece of land, which might indicate his intention to stay their for a long time or permanently. In fact, his destination should be Bethel (31:3). What might be happening in Shechem?) (1, How long Jacob stayed in Shechem?)

20 There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. (Jacob named Shechem El Elohe Israel which means the mighty God of Israel.)

(1, How long Jacob stayed in Shechem?) (AI)

The Bible does not explicitly state the exact duration of Jacob's stay in Shechem, but based on the events recorded (Genesis 33-35), it was likely several years. Some interpretations, looking at the time required for Dinah to reach marriageable age and for his sons to be of age to attack the city, suggest it could be around a decade.

Key details about his stay in Shechem include:

Settling Down: After coming from Paddan Aram, Jacob did not immediately go to Bethel as planned, but instead settled and bought land near Shechem for 100 pieces of silver.

Building a Life: He built a house and booths for his livestock, indicating a long-term stay.

The Incident: The stay concluded abruptly following the rape of his daughter Dinah and the subsequent revenge taken by his sons, Simeon and Levi, which forced him to leave due to fear of local retaliation.