The First Book of Moses, called Genesis
Genesis 33
Chapter XXXIII · Vol. I, pp. 267–268
1 The kindness of Jacob and Esau at their meeting. 17 Jacob cometh to Succoth. 18 At Shalem he buyeth a field, and buildeth an altar called El-elohe-Israel.
1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he adivided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.
a ch. 32.7,16.
2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.8
8 Giving the dearest most opportunity to escape.
3 And he passed bover before them, cand bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.9
c ch. 18.2; 32.4. Pr. 6.3. Lu. 14.11. Ec. 10.4.
9 This seems to mean that Jacob, on approaching his brother, stopped at intervals and bowed, and then advanced and bowed again, until the seventh bow brought him near to his brother. This was a mark of profound respect, nor need we suppose there was any simulation of humility in it, for it was, and is, customary for elder brothers to be treated by the younger with great respect in the East.
5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children, and said, Who are those with thee?1 and he said, eThe children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
1 Heb. to thee.
e ch. 30.2. 1 Sa. 1.27. Ru. 4.13. Ps. 127.3. Is. 8.18. He. 2.13.
6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.
7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
8 And he said, What fmeanest thou by all this drove2 which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
A.M. 2265. B.C. 1739.
f ch. 32.13-20.
2 Heb. What is all this band to thee?
10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as hthough I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
h Our kind meeting is very comfortable, and a token of God's favour to me, Ps. 41.11.
11 Take, I pray thee, my iblessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have kenough. And he urged him, and he took it.
i Present, ch. 32.13-20. Jos. 15.19. 1 Sa. 25.27; 30.26. 2 Ki. 5.15. 2 Co. 9.5,6.
k Heb. all. Ro. 8.31,32. 1 Ti. 4.8. 1 Co. 3.21,22. Phi. 4.12,18.
12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go,5 and I will go before thee.
5 To Seir, where I may requite thy kindness.
13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that lthe children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me; and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant; and I will lead on softly, 6according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be mable to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
15 And Esau said, Let me now leave7 with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it?8 let me nfind grace in the sight of my lord.9
7 Heb. set or place.
8 Heb. Wherefore is this?
n ch. 34.11; 47.25. Ru. 2.13. 1 Sa. 25.8. 2 Sa. 16.4; allow me to go alone.
9 Jacob was still distrustful of Esau. He had himself practised cunning and deception, and now he was harassed by the fear of others, when in reality there was no cause. His words to Esau must have left the impression that he would follow him to Seir at such a pace as the cattle and children could bear; but the moment Esau and his formidable escort set out southward Jacob turned westward and crossed the Jordan. —P.
16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
17 And Jacob journeyed to oSuccoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.1
o Not Ex. 13.26, but Ju. 8.5.
1 That is, booths. —(Tents or booths. It seems to be recorded as a singular circumstance, that Jacob erected booths for his cattle. His motive does not appear; but it was, and is, unusual in the East to put the flocks and herds under cover. They remain night and day, winter and summer, in the open air.)
18 And Jacob came pto Shalem, a city of Shechem,2 which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram, and pitched his tent before the city.
Notes
Reflections.—It is prudent to keep out of view whatever might revive old quarrels; and humble submission powerfully mollifies offended pride. Cheerfully may we wait the issue of that which hath been committed to God. He often makes the issue of our trials much better than our fears suggested; and easily he mollifies the most fierce and froward heart. How sweet in itself, and what a token of a pious soul, is it to view all that we have as the gifts of our gracious God! What a distinguished mercy it is to obtain the answer of our prayers, and to recover the favour of offended friends! And how inconsiderable the wants, and great the wealth, of those who have God their portion and guardian! A heart truly Christian is open and generous: but, if we have enough of our own, we ought civilly to refuse needless obligations, though we should never be behind in acts of civility. Parents ought to manifest a most affectionate regard for their families, and especially to take care of their young ones. Perils of dangers escaped deserve a thankful remembrance; and wherever saints have houses, there God must be worshipped as their God and their glory. O, my soul, never fear that anything is too hard for the Lord! but always think, and speak, and act, as one whose God is Jehovah, and who follows peace with all men, and holiness! Never, therefore, let houses and booths for cattle have the preference of an altar for the Lord. We must not expect earthly enjoyments at free cost, because we have the heavenly so; but let the faith of God, as my own God, and the God of my seed, be rendered familiar to my heart and life; and then contentment, and patient expectation, will lead me cheerfully through all.