In these chapters Jacob returns “home” to face his brother Esau. He’s definitely worried about what will happen and chooses to interpret Esau’s actions as a threat. Turns out, as nearly as we can tell, that Esau is glad to see Jacob returning.
Jacob is wealthy in the way that wealth was measured during this time — lots of family and lots of livestock. There’s some settling out that has to occur so that Jacob has a big patch of land to dwell in. We get a sense of the machinations that are the way of the people in those days. Along the way, God tells Jacob he is to be known as Israel going forward.
We might wonder why the story of the rape of Dinah and the revenge of Jacob’s sons is told. It’s definitely rooted in a culture of honor and shame. Well, it did happen and so it is part of the family history. It may be that it will play a part in how Israel’s tribe fares in Canann. Let’s watch for it.
Psalm note: David once again calls on God to protect his people from the wicked and expresses his confidence that Yahweh will do it.
