LESSON XXI.—JACOB'S RETURN.
1. By whom was Jacob met, as he went on his way from Mount Gilead? Gen. 32:1. 2. What did Jacob say when he saw the angels? Verse 2. 3. Why, do you think, was he permitted to see the angels? 4. What did Jacob now begin to fear? 5. What precaution did he take? Verses 3-5. 6. What word did the messengers bring, when they returned? 7. How did this news affect Jacob? 8. What steps did he take? 9. What did he urge, as he pleaded with God for protection? 10. What did Jacob do to appease the wrath of Esau? 11. How did he dispose the droves that he sent forward? 12. What did he tell the servants that followed each drove to say to Esau when he met them? 13. What did he do with his wives and children? 14. Where did he himself remain? 15. How did Jacob spend the night? 16. When the angel saw that he prevailed not against Jacob, what did he do? 17. What proof did Jacob give of his courage and faith? 18. What is supposed to have made this a night of terrible anguish to Jacob? 19. For what did he wrestle all that night? 21. What do you suppose caused this change in his feelings? 22. What did Esau offer to do? 23. Did Jacob accept the offer? 24. How was he protected? As Jacob went on his way from Mount Gilead, a company of angels met him at Mahanaim. And Jacob said, “This is God's host.” The appearance of the angels must have been to assure Jacob of the presence and protection of God. Jacob now began to fear that Esau would come out against him, and take his life. So he sent messengers forward to Esau, who dwelt in the land of Seir, or Edom. When the messengers returned, they said that Esau was coming with four hundred men. Jacob was now much afraid. He divided his company into two bands, thinking that if one should be taken, the other might escape. He then pleaded with the Lord most earnestly, that he would deliver him from his brother Esau, urging the promises that the Lord had made him. After this, he made up a very rich present of goats, sheep, camels, and cattle, and dividing them into several droves, he sent his servants forward with them, instructing them to put the droves quite a distance apart, and as Esau met each drove, that the servants following it should tell him that it was a present from Jacob, who was coming in the rear. In this way he hoped to appease Esau's anger. Then he sent his wives and children across the brook Jabbok to a place of safety, but he himself remained alone. And there came a man, or rather an angel, and wrestled with him all night. When the angel saw that he prevailed not against Jacob, he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh, and put his thigh out of joint. But Jacob would not let the angel go till he had obtained a blessing. This is supposed to have been a night of terrible anguish to Jacob,—a night in which the sins of his past life, and especially those against Esau, came up before him in all their enormity, and seemed to stand between him and God. All night he wrestled with God for pardon, and the assurance of his favor and protection. What an example is here afforded us of prevailing prayer. The next day, when Jacob met Esau, the Lord had so worked upon his heart that he embraced Jacob and kissed him. He was unwilling to accept the presents that Jacob had sent him, and offered to protect Jacob on his journey. Jacob then went on to Canaan in safety; for the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them.