If Bible story is like a wuxia story or korean/thai drama, then this chapter would be the one that will cost me many tissues. If I could write a short film script, I would write it with lots of tearful emotions.
So, Jacob finally met Esau, he saw from the distance Esau came with 400 men. Jacob, now, move forward instead (not like his original plan to put others in front) and went on ahead. He bowed down 7 times to the ground.
But Esau ran and embraced him and they wept. Esau has forgiven him. Jacob insisted to give the presents to Esau, even pleading Esau to accept him, even though Esau tried to decline it. (a bit like Asian culture here, LOL).
Jacob humbled himself, said to Esau: “just let me find grace in the eyes of master (adon)”
So Esau went back to Seir and Jacob settled down at Sukkoth (meaning hut), and built shelters there. Sukkoth is near Pniel, the place where Jacob encounter God, as if he wanted to linger a while in that historical place.
I always wonder, about this twins rivalry on what happened to Esau and Jacob. At the end Esau became very successful and wealthy, technically at that moment, Esau was stronger and more resourceful (400 men with him!). So, what’s the fuss about the blessings, sometimes I wonder.
Isaac’s blessings to Esau, said that he would throw off Jacob’s yoke from Esau’s neck – I see it this way: “The pain, bitterness, that Jacob caused to Esau and became an unforgiveness burden for him, Esau was able to free himself by forgiving Jacob! He was free indeed!”
I also wonder, why Esau needed to come with 400 men. Was it possible that initially Esau planned evil for Jacob, but had a change of heart, upon seeing Jacob’s bowing down?
Another interesting thing, during Jesus’ time, Herod ruled (to some extent, under Romans), and Herod was Esau’s descendant.
Jacob also did not claim Isaac’s land (as his birth right) right away that moment, nor did he go back to stay with Isaac, perhaps out of his respect to Esau, he decided to settle somewhere.
Still it is a touching story. Jacob humbled himself, surrendered his fate to God, Esau embraced him and forgave him. This is one of the “happy ending” stories in the Bible.
I wonder, if I were Jacob and met the angel’s camp in last chapter, how I wish God would send me the fiery armies like in movies, to fight against Esau’s 400 men.
But, apparently that’s not God’s way.
God had arranged for something more beautiful. Peace, Forgiveness. Embrace. They were both blessed together at the end. And while metaphorically, Esau in NT’s lens often be seen as protagonist, we can see from the text, all ended well for him.
We have our own way. God has his own. His way is better than ours.
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