Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Jacob’s fear of Esau

a. He heard Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men (Genesis 32:6)

b. He became greatly afraid and distressed (Genesis 32:7)

c. He feared that Esau would come and attack him and his family (Genesis 32:11)

2. God sought to allay Jacob’s fear

a. Sent angels to encamp around Jacob (Genesis 32:1-2)

b. Sent the Angel of the LORD to wrestle with Jacob until dawn (Genesis 32:24)

c. Blessed Jacob with a new name Israel (Genesis 32:28)

EXERCISING FAITH TO FACE HIS FEAR

1 Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.

2 And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.

3 Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Genesis 33:1-3

1. Jacob lifted his eyes and looked

a. He saw Esau coming

b. With him were 400 men

2. Jacob’s response of faith

a. There was no more mention of fear

i. His fear of Esau had abated significantly

ii. He was not fearful at the sight of Esau with his 400 men

b. There was now a display of courage

i. He crossed over before his family to face Esau alone

ii. He bowed himself to the ground 7 times until he came near to his brother

3. Yet there was still some carnality in his response

a. He divided his family in the following order

i. The maidservants (his secondary wives) and their children in front

ii. Leah and her children behind

iii. Rachel and Joseph last

b. This reflected his partiality towards Rachel and Joseph

i. If Esau were to attack, Jacob would die first

ii. Followed by the maidservants and Leah

iii. This would hopefully give Rachel and Joseph enough time to escape

AN UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS

4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?”
So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

6 Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.

7 And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.

Genesis 33:4-7

1. Esau did not attack Jacob as he feared

2. Esau’s response was beyond what Jacob could have imagined!

a. He ran to meet Jacob

b. He embraced Jacob

c. He fell on his neck and kissed him

3. They wept together

a. There were mutual feelings of brotherly love

b. They had lived apart for 20 years because of their foolishness

c. They missed each other very much

d. There was no more anger, just joy and love!

4. They caught up with each other

a. Esau’s enquiry as he saw the women and children – “Who are these with you?”

b. Jacob’s response – “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

i. He spoke of God directly

ii. He acknowledged God’s grace in blessing him with his family

iii. He also continued to present himself humbly as “your servant”

c. Jacob introduced his family to Esau

i. The maidservants came near with their children and bowed down

ii. Leah also came with her children and bowed down

iii. Lastly, Joseph and Rachel came near and bowed down

iv. All bowed to Esau in humility as Jacob had done!

CONCLUSION

1. The problem of fear is real in life

a. There are many fears we struggle with in life

i. Studies

ii. Friendship matters

iii. Family

iv. Future

b. These fears can be greatly distressing and overwhelming

c. But sometimes these fears may turn out to be wrong

2. The challenge for us – to exercise faith!

a. Not to let these fears cripple us

b. But to hold fast to God

i. His presence

ii. His protection

iii. His promises

3. God will do His part to help us

a. There is nothing too hard for God

b. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!