Before You Meet Esau!

Text: Genesis 32:6-24; 33:1

In the journeys of life, there are certain people, situations and circumstances we must of a necessity, meet. Some may be pleasant while others may not be. Unpleasant ones are meant to do either of these two things: move us away from actualizing our purposes or move us towards them. Joseph’s experience in the hands of his brothers or even in Potiphar’s house were nothing near pleasant, however, those events moved him towards the fulfilment of purpose.  

In the passage above (Genesis 32: 6-24; 33:1) It was time for Jacob to move on in life after he had sojourned in another land for years where he had acquired so much. He had grown and it was time to leave Laban to start a new life. However, on his journey to settling down in life, he must meet Esau again and it seemed this could not be avoided! He remembered what had transpired between himself and Esau which was what actually led him to flee to his Uncle, Laban, and then got married, had children and became rich in goods. Jacob needed to move on, but he got wind of the movement of Esau towards his direction. I actually wonder why, after Esau was informed that Jacob was coming back to settle down, for Esau to have mobilized an army of 400 men to meet him along the way. I guess Esau must have asked himself what Jacob was coming for again after the previous experience? He must have felt this was the time to take revenge. I don’t think Esau was coming to welcome him cheerfully. I think he was prepared for war having waited for an opportune time. Jacob swung into survival mode at once when he heard that Esau was on his way. He knew instantly that all was not well.

I am particularly touched by the method he adopted. He didn’t gather an army to go into a battle with Esau; that might have been disastrous for him! Jacob rather tarried the night after having dispersed his servants, flocks and family. He tarried before the Lord! Jacob was going to meet Esau, but he didn’t take it lightly. Esau was like a wounded snake and his reprisal attack on Jacob would have been deadly! I am glad Jacob didn’t take the matter for granted. He spent the night right there after everyone had left him and He met with the Lord. After the experience in Chapter 32, the first person Jacob saw at daybreak after reconnecting with his wives and children, was Esau. (Chapter 33:1). Jacob had met with God in the night before he met with Esau in the morning! The matter had been resolved before Jacob met Esau: God had touched both of them!

In most instances, who you meet before you meet certain issues of life as a believer, matters so much in the outcome of your pursuit.

In most instances, who you meet before you meet certain issues of life as a believer, matters so much in the outcome of your pursuit. Jesus laid the example for us as He would always meet with the Father before He took any steps in ministry. He wasn’t irrational about His decisions or actions. By all means, don’t take your appointments for granted! Don’t meet a task just by impulse, experience or expertise, please meet God first! Don’t meet an assignment casually; meet God first! Don’t meet an admission, a job offer or placement, an interview, a presentation, a person, a marriage proposal, a wedding, a married life, a new baby, a new house, a new car, a journey or anything in life casually. Please, endeavor to meet God first over the issues of your life.  

As we advance in life, may grace to wait upon the Lord be multiplied unto us. In seeking God’s face as we move on, may He graciously show up for us! May He always make difficult things become easy for us and give us walkover success in all ramifications of life. Amen!

©Funmi Adebayo