Pastor Ralph Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 By the time the brothers met, Esau's raging anger and desire for revenge had abated. He had built a good life with substantial wealth and probably felt indebted to no one. Jacob's driving desire to control and dominate was gone. God had made him very wealthy, given him a family, and established His promises. Jacob felt indebted to Yahweh. So often an inborn characteristic gets us in trouble because we exercise it through the flesh. When Jacob submitted his "craftiness" to God, it was no longer used for deceit but for diplomacy. He didn't/couldn't abandon the prophecy given to their mother that he would have authority over Esau or the covenant God had confirmed with him, but Jacob knew subtle tact would cultivate a truce that maintained that position/those promises without demeaning or insulting Esau. He sent peace gifts in waves to soften Esau for his arrival. And then Jacob pressed Esau to accept them, while they both knew that to do so meant that Esau could never betray him. Jacob also declined Esau's offer of escorts for the rest of the journey with his family so that he was free to go where God told him to go rather than be obligated to follow Esau. This wasn't devious; it was wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Paul DiMino Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Esau came with 400 men,but upon seeing his brother ran up kissed him and the two wept:Jacob said that seeing his face was "as though [he] had seen the face of God".Was this flattery; an attempt to inflict injury by inducing false pride ? Or, is there more to this statement ? Jacob had indeed seen the face of a manifestation of God,and the struggle through which he overcame his own doubt and fear, is seen in the face of his brother.Is he "playing" his brother,or is this dance orchestrated from above ? The seemingly excessive gestures of servitude may be more the custom of the day than the obvious diversion that they would represent in our culture,as well as clever political strategy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iam4-1god Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Esau had grown up. God had evidently blessed him too. He had the pleasure of being near his parents all the years Jacob was away. He was more peaceful. Jacob, like Esau, had also grown up. Was humble, a peace-maker, walking close to God. Jacob was thinking ahead to his meeting with his brother. He was picturing an angry Esau and was acutely aware of how he had manipulated his brother & his father. Guilt drove him to prepare many gifts for Esau & his family. Moving ahead with the plans showed his faith in God's well-keeping of him & his family. Humbleness was moving his craftiness turning it into wisdom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studybug52 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eudora Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? His anger has subsided towards his brother, he is forgiving and considerate too. He seems more content in what he has. I think having not seen his brother for so long was just the right time that Yahowah had supplied for their bitterness between them both to be healed. How has Jacob changed? Well I think he is a bit more reliable on Hashem rather than himself. Who has not come face to face with the Hope of Eternity in Yahushua and not been a better person for having done so, recognizing their immortality. He is a bit more submissive and sensitive to others needs. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? I don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? How does it demonstrate his faith? Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? Esau was changed in that the bitterness over losing his birthright and blessing seems gone. Instead, Esau was content with what he had. He also greeted his brother, Jacob, with a great hug. Imagine how difficult this must have been for a man who once had actually plotted his brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? His rage and expressed desire to kill Jacob has been replaced with gladness in seeing Jacob, and he desires a peaceful reconciliation. How has Jacob changed? Jacob now has a relationship with God, has been humbled by the years of trial and testing, and also desires a peaceful reunion with Esau. Instead of the youth fleeing for his life, he is returning as a mature and wealthy man with a family, who knows that God's goodness has given him all that he has....including his own life. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? He "stole" the largest portion and position from Esau in the birthright, now he tries to soften his brother's anger by wowing him with a huge gift sent ahead to placate Esau. He bows to the ground 7 times which places him under Esau's headship, while having no intention of following through with going to live side by side with Esau in Seir. How does it demonstrate his faith? He has repented of his deception done outside the will of God, and now gives God full credit for redeeming his life and the blessings which have been heaped upon him. He comes in humility. Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? I think so. He's humble but still fearful, hence the crafty "buying" favor with Esau, to demonstrate remorse over his past actions. When we act in fear, we aren't being who we really are, so we may stoop to less than forthright behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearl Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Esau has changed in that he no longer has a grudge against his brother. Jacob has changed in that he is wise. I think that Jacob's craftiness is now wisdom and in order to appease or reconcile with Esau, he offers him gifts. Jacob realitzes that he has a family because of God and that he now looks to God for his very life and safety. I think that Jacob is being humble and wise at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okno Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? Both brothers are wiser. They lived alone (without each other) for twenty years and this time surely influenced the anger of Esau. Jacob, on the other hand, was more adult from the religious point of view and thanks to the God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? The person Esau was also blessed with much wealth, outwardly he seems to have changed from wanting to kill his brother, to being friends. How has Jacob changed? Jacob never had hatred in his heart towards his brother, he was not an enemy to Esau, they did not seem to have much in common spiritually, however, they were kindred and Jacob wanted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WALT39 Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob’s “craftiness”? How does it demonstrate his faith? Can Jacob be humble and “crafty” at the same time? How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? In Genesis 33:4, it states: "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept". Esau anger had left him and he embraced his brother, How has Jacob changed? Jacob was cautious in approaching Esau. He no longer wanted to control like he did before leaving for Laban. Jacob showed this when he approach Esau by bowing down seven times. This was recorded in Genesis 33:3. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob’s “craftiness”? It would appear that Jacob wanted his brother to accept his gifts and therefore Esau could not have attacked him. I do not believe that Jacob actually deceived him, because God had provided for Jacob. How does it demonstrate his faith? He could have taken the easy way out and not return and not obey God, but he did not. Jacob followed God's direction and returned to his father's land. Can Jacob be humble and “crafty” at the same time? I think that Jacob was able to do this by bowing to his brother and therefore showing humility. On the other hand, he followed God's direction and praise God for his needs and provided these gifts to Esau. In Genesis 33:10-11, it is recorded "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, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." Jacob was able to do both because he trusted and obey God. ` Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? How does it demonstrate his faith? Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? Here we see God had so softened Esau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Esau peaceful with his brother Jacob and his very social conduct demonstrated that he had changed trmendously from a hateful revenger to a forgiving and loving brother. Jacob has changed very much. He attributed his wealth and large family to God and not to his evil schmes of the past. Jacob was however still very crafty by insisting that the brother should accept his gift of peace. Doing so would bound the bother to live peacefully with him. Furthermore, his refusal to go with his brother or allow his brother's men to stay with him was another indication of his craftiness. He wanted to be free from his brothe's dominion and would therefore live with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriciaa Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? Esau runs to meet him, but instead of anger is an embrace, instead of thrusting a knife, he offers a kiss of peace. After a lifetime of enmity the two brothers are reconciled. How has Jacob changed? God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? After the prosperous years spent with his uncle Laban , the time came for Jacob to return home. Despite the time away, Jacob did not know what Esau would do, so Jacob sent gifts ahead in an attempt to appease his brother. Jacob knew that he was well protected, that he was being escorted by "God's army", so Jacob's attempt to keep Esau from attacking may have been intended to protect Esau's life as much as his own. How does it demonstrate his faith? "God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." Notice how God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety. Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? Yes as indicated in the above 2 questions and answers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriciaa Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? Esau runs to meet him, but instead of anger is an embrace, instead of thrusting a knife, he offers a kiss of peace. After a lifetime of enmity the two brothers are reconciled. How has Jacob changed? God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety. How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? After the prosperous years spent with his uncle Laban , the time came for Jacob to return home. Despite the time away, Jacob did not know what Esau would do, so Jacob sent gifts ahead in an attempt to appease his brother. Jacob knew that he was well protected, that he was being escorted by "God's army", so Jacob's attempt to keep Esau from attacking may have been intended to protect Esau's life as much as his own. How does it demonstrate his faith? "God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." Notice how God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety. Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? Yes as indicated in the above 2 questions and answers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Both brothers have grown up and have complete lives - all animosity has gone. I believe though that Jacob's conscence still troubles him, knowing that he was responsible for the split in the first place. Esau is glad to meet his brother again as an equal. Jacob realises that he must show Esau that he submitts to his brother and does so with wisdom, making peace with Esau, but still maintaining the purpose of living a seperate life. Jacob was humble and crafty at the same time, but his faith is in God who will not abandon him. Love Greta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elwood C O'Dell Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? He has mellowed in his feelings and actions towards Jacob. How has Jacob changed? Jacob has come to realize that God has been gracious to him. He Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilter Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 EASU AND JACOB BOTH HAD A CHANGE OF HEART. THEY BOTH WAS VERY CONTENT WITH WHAT THEY HAD. EASU HAD LOST THE BITTERNESS OF LOSING HIS BIRTHRIGHT AND BLESSING. JACOB WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE ESAU WHICH PLEASED EASU.THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE A FORGIVING HEART. WE CAN RID OURSELF OF BITTERNEES AND UNFORGIVNESS BY TAKING OUR FEELINGS TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. BOWING LOW SEVEN TIMES IS THE SIGN OF RESPECT GIVEN TO A KING. JACOB WAS TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION TO DISPEL ANY THOUGHTS OF REVENGE. I THINK EACH ONE REALIZED THAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING THEY OWNED IN SPITE OF THE GIFTS JACOB OFFERED EASU, HE KNEW THAT THE PROMISE OF GOD WAS THERE . HE REALLY DID NOT HAVE ANY REASON TO FEAR.WITH THIS SAID JACOB'S FAITH LED HIM TO THE PROBLEM AND WITH FAITH ALL WAS WELL. JACOB COULD NOT BE BOTH AND I THINK HE REALIZED THIS. YOU CAN NOT BE BOTH AND LIVING FOR THE LORD. I THINK JACOB HUMBLED HIMSELF AND STAYED THAT WAY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking His Face Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janel Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Q4 Esau now a warm and loving man must either be a forgiving brother or was bought over by Jacob's abundant gifts to him. Jacob feeling guilty of his past guilt must be very surprised and happy to receive such a warm reconciliation from his brother that makes him humble himself before his brother. It is through his encounter with God that has transformed him to be a better person. Jacob is shrewd in buying his brother's confidence first by lavishing him with all the gifts. Then together with his family pay homage by bowing to his brother. Accepting Jacob's peace gifts put Esau under obligation to him and in the meantime Esau cannot righteously take up arms against him. That would, according to his culture as a sinister act of betrayal. He attributes all his blessings to God's graciousness. Yes, Jacob can be humble for he has encountered with God and God has broken and transformed him. He can also be "crafty" at the same time for God has bestowed upon him spiritual gifts which makes him wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? How has Jacob changed? How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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