Esau's going back to Seir that day belongs to the account of Jacob's return to Palestine and his meeting with Esau. Jacob had approached that meeting in fear, had sought God's mercy, and had tried to make amends for his offense against his brother. God intervened to change Esau's purpose toward him.
It comes after Jacob's victory by faith in wrestling at the Brook Jabbok with the Angel of Jehovah. There his name was changed from Jacob, "the supplanter," to Israel, "the prevailer with God," and Esau's return belongs to the more peaceful time of the patriarch's life that followed. That time came before his return to Bethel after he and his household put away their foreign gods and foolish trinkets. It follows Jacob being met by angels and receiving a changed heart and a changed name. Esau's departure marks the reconciliation as completed, and calls for the spirit of forgiveness in the heart.
Esau returned that day on his way to Seir after meeting Jacob, embracing him, receiving his present, and offering to journey with him. He left Jacob behind with his children, flocks and herds. The affecting meeting shows the Lord's power to change men's hearts and purpose. By that power Jacob was delivered from Esau without using the sword, for his protection came through God's intervention. After it Jacob journeyed instead to Succoth and came in peace to the city of Shechem, so the brothers separated after their meeting and went to different places.
Their parting was no longer driven by enmity, because Esau's feelings had changed. They separated because of their possessions and their different religious faiths.
Esau's going back to Seir that day belongs to the account of Jacob's return to Palestine and his meeting with Esau. Jacob had approached that meeting in fear, had sought God's mercy, and had tried to make amends for his offense against his brother. God intervened to change Esau's purpose toward him.
It comes after Jacob's victory by faith in wrestling at the Brook Jabbok with the Angel of Jehovah. There his name was changed from Jacob, "the supplanter," to Israel, "the prevailer with God," and Esau's return belongs to the more peaceful time of the patriarch's life that followed. That time came before his return to Bethel after he and his household put away their foreign gods and foolish trinkets. It follows Jacob being met by angels and receiving a changed heart and a changed name. Esau's departure marks the reconciliation as completed, and calls for the spirit of forgiveness in the heart.
Esau returned that day on his way to Seir after meeting Jacob, embracing him, receiving his present, and offering to journey with him. He left Jacob behind with his children, flocks and herds. The affecting meeting shows the Lord's power to change men's hearts and purpose. By that power Jacob was delivered from Esau without using the sword, for his protection came through God's intervention. After it Jacob journeyed instead to Succoth and came in peace to the city of Shechem, so the brothers separated after their meeting and went to different places.
Their parting was no longer driven by enmity, because Esau's feelings had changed. They separated because of their possessions and their different religious faiths.