BibleProject | One Story: Foundations of the BibleNäide

In the last encounter between the brothers, Jacob tricked Esau out of his blessing and ran away. In today’s reading, the estranged brothers prepare to reunite. As Esau approaches, Jacob panics and, as usual, turns to selfish schemes for protection. First, he sends a huge gift of livestock to temper Esau’s anger. Then, he puts his wives and children ahead of him in the caravan and takes the safest spot in the rear.

But the night before the reunion, in one of the most famous scenes of the Hebrew Bible, Jacob wrestles with God. The struggle mirrors the story of Jacob’s life: struggling for blessing through manipulation and deceit, while ruining relationships along the way. So God wounds Jacob to teach him that blessing comes through weakness and dependence, not schemes. He gives Jacob, “the deceiver,” a new name: Israel, which means “struggles with God.”

For a moment, the wrestling match changes Jacob. He leads the caravan and greets his brother with humility. In a surprising twist, Esau showers Jacob with generosity and love rather than anger. But Jacob soon reverts to his old ways, lying to Esau and abandoning him.

Jacob’s evasiveness results in his family settling in Shechem, where one of the local men sexually assaults his daughter, Dinah. This horrific moment exposes the consequences of Jacob’s lifelong rejection of God’s wisdom. To make matters worse, Jacob’s refusal to seek justice on Dinah’s behalf provokes his sons to evil and treachery. Without a wise father’s guidance, they weaponize the covenant sign of circumcision as they seek vengeance. And so another generation of Abraham’s family descends into chaos and violence. Will this downward spiral ever end?

Reflection questions:

• God gives Jacob the name Israel because he struggled with God and with humans and prevailed. Where have you seen Jacob struggle with God in his life so far? Where has he struggled with humans? What do you think it means that he has prevailed?
• Compare the two brothers’ respective responses to the family reunion. How does Jacob approach Esau? How does Esau receive Jacob? What does this tell you about each brother’s character?