Genesis 32:1-8 (NIV)

Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanaim.

Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’”

When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”

In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.”

The US Marine Corps has a magnificent method for making Marines; they break people. When candidates have been pushed physically, mentally and emotionally further than they thought possible and they fail, then they’re ready to be rebuilt into Marines. Now this is partly for military purposes – the USMC needs to test someone’s ability to handle fear and stress and begin to train them to handle more – but this breakdown concept is broad. It’s similar to the original Alcoholics Anonymous concept of hitting bottom. Major change needs major repentance and major repentance comes from failure. To build a house, you have to clear the lot first.

Jacob is deathly afraid of Esau (for good reason) and now he has to meet him. When he hears that Esau is bringing 400 of his closest friends to the meeting, he figures he’s a goner. So, he prepares for a wipeout. God is reducing Jacob to a simpering, obsequious, thumb-sucking baby.

But beware of schadenfreude here. Yes, Jacob deserves (and needs) all this pain, but we’re no better. Paul wrote Ephesians 4:22-24 to Christians, not unbelievers.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (NIV)

Jacob is being set up for a painful and transformative trial, which will be the highlight of his life. This is why the Bible is full of quotes telling us to treasure our most painful moments.

Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, – James 1:2 (NIV)

If you haven’t had a trial recently, do you feel like you’re missing out? Maybe you should. While we aren’t expected to actually want trials, we should seek to appreciate their higher purposes.

Ask God to help you be more of a “connoisseur” of them.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies