Genesis Chapter 33 The Land of Victory

Genesis 33:1 & 2

Ya'akov raised his eyes and looked out; and there was 'Esav coming, and four hundred men with him. So Ya'akov divided the children between Le'ah, Rachel and the two slave-girls, putting the slave-girls and their children first, Le'ah and her children second, and Rachel and Yosef last.

We remember that the phrase “raised his eyes” is speaking of prayer and, here, we see Ya'akov praying and being shown what God wants to happen between the peoples of Israel and Edom.

When Ya'akov saw 'Esav approaching he split his family into four groups.

Genesis 33:3

Then he himself passed on ahead of them and prostrated himself on the ground seven times before approaching his brother.

Ya'akov went ahead of them and we see that he bowed down to the ground seven times and we might ask why he did so.

This was Israel bowing down before God and acknowledging that it is His will for Israel to possess the land of Canaan.

Genesis 33:4–7

'Esav ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him; and they wept. 'Esav looked up; on seeing the women and children, he asked, "Who are these with you?" Ya'akov answered, "The children God has graciously given to your servant." Then the slave-girls approached with their children, and they prostrated themselves; Le'ah too and her children approached and prostrated themselves; and last came Yosef and Rachel; and they prostrated themselves.

When Ya'akov and his brother came together, there was reconciliation and, as each group of his family approached, they bowed in worship to God.

When asked about all of the people that kept coming, Ya'akov responded by speaking of God's grace and he identified himself as his brother's servant.

Genesis 33:8 & 9

'Esav asked, "What was the meaning of this procession of droves I encountered?" and he answered, "It was to win my lord's favor." 'Esav replied, "I have plenty already; my brother, keep your possessions for yourself."

In this exchange between the brothers, we see that God does not want any jealousy between the two men or their peoples.

Genesis 33:10 & 11

Ya'akov said, "No, please! If now I have won your favor, then accept my gift. Just seeing your face has been like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me. So please accept the gift I have brought you, for God has dealt kindly with me and I have enough." Thus he urged him, until he accepted it.

We see that Ya'akov convinces his brother to accept the gifts that had been sent ahead of Ya'akov and this is a part of the covenant with Avraham that his descendants would be a blessing to the nations.

Genesis 33:12–14

'Esav said, "Let's break camp and get going. I'll go first." Ya'akov said to him, "My lord knows that the children are small, and the sheep and cattle suckling their young concern me, because if they overdrive them even one day, all the flocks will die. Instead, please, let my lord go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the cattle ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Se'ir."

'Esav suggested that they travel together as they broke camp but Ya'akov asked him to go first as he could not travel as fast as 'Esav's party.

Genesis 33:15 & 16

'Esav replied, "Then let me leave with you some of the people I have with me." But Ya'akov said, "There's no need for my lord to be so kind to me." So 'Esav left that day to return to Se'ir.

When 'Esav asked to leave people with Ya'akov, Ya'akov said no and this shows God's will for His people to be set apart from the world.

So, 'Esav left to go back to Edom.

Genesis 33:17–20

Ya'akov went on to Sukkot, where he built himself a house and put up shelters for his cattle. This is why the place is called Sukkot. Having traveled from Paddan-Aram, Ya'akov arrived safely at the city of Sh'khem, in Kena'an, and set up camp near the city. From the sons of Hamor Sh'khem's father he bought for one hundred pieces of silver the parcel of land where he had pitched his tent. There he put up an altar, which he called El-Elohei-Yisra'el.

We see that Ya'akov bought the land where he stayed and he built an altar to the Lord.

He called the altar “God the God of Israel” and through this passage we see that it was God's desire for all of the land to worship Him and for Israel to be the land of victory.