The Brinkley argus., 1913-04-18
INTERNATIONAL SUN[MSC[lOOL
 LESSON cBy k. O. SELLERS. Director of Even ing Department The Moody Bible ln- stitute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR APRIL 20
JACOBS MEETING WITH EsAU.

 you" E.ph. 4:S2 R. Y.
 We are about to lose sight of Jacob "a cheat and we shall hereafter con sider Israel "a prince" While Jacoo is not so grand a character as Abra- ham nor so lovable as Isaac. yet ne is much more like the average man. The story of his days of willing serv- ice for Rachel (29:20); of Laban's deception and of his prosperity in spite of Laban. can be found in chap ters 2e and 30 while that of his re- turn to Canaan is contained in chap ters 31-35. Though not included in the selected portion of Scripture. we do not see how anyone can teach this lesson and omit the consideration or chapter 32. We therefore see before us (1) Jacobs diplomacy, 32:1-s; t2) Jacobs prayer, 32:9-12; (3) Jacobs present to Esau. 32:1323. and (D Jacobs wrestling. 32:24-32.
 A finger tip of God disabled Jacob. yet vanquished he is victorious for God-the angel Of Jehovah-has talk en from this double-dealing, crafty child that which hindered all that was truest in his life. Not by com polling but by yielding was Jacob en- larged: by submitting he found the throne of power So much in prepa- ration for the lesson of today.
 Not Coward.
 | The Approach--vv. 1-3. Jacob had just had vision of God f32:S0) why. then, should he fear the face of his brother? Even so, however he continued his measures of precaution and separated his children into Leah and Rachel and sent the handmaids and their children ahead. Notice how he places his most loved in the rear of the procession which he himself led Jacob was not coward and, 1n- deed. with his new-found power he had no need to be. Before he had fed from the face of his angry broth CT. now with boldness, and yet with humility. he enters the presence of that same brother even though he had had no assurance as to the char acter of that meeting.
 II. The Meeting-V. Ali. Twen- ty-one years had passed, days of great testing but of great blessing, before Jacob began this homeward tourney. Jacob had learned the "up. ward look" fv. II and his prevailing prayer brought Esau to him In haste but not in anger. Now Esau lifts up his eyes fv 5) and behoids not the fugitive of old. but transformed, prosperous and richly blessed broth CT "Who are those with thee?' he asks, and Jacob at once acknowledges God as the giver and the blesser. fSee 32:26: Jas. 1:17) Jacob speaks of his children as Gods gracious gifts. teaching of the Bible, yet how often is it the modern view, at least in many circles of society. Following the children came the handmaids and their children, then Leah and her children, and last of all Rachel and Joseph At once Esau inquires as to those gifts Jacob had sent ahead (32: l3-21). and Jacob replies. That l might find grace in the sight of my Lord" It is well to notice that Esau refused this gift (v. ID as purchase price of reconciliation.
 Jacob Astute.
 From the marginal reading we see that Jacobs words when urging Esau to accept his gift were: Because have all" Every child of God can truthfully say as much. q Cor. 3:2l; Phil. 4:1S. 19: Rom. S:31. 32.) Thus we see the astute Jacob who had so arranged his affairs as to make gifts or not as might be necessary Is sur prised. not as at Bethel when he met God, but to find that God had SC moved upon the heart of his brother as to remove for a time at least all danger.
 III. The Separation, w. f2-15. We infer from a study of Esau's life that Jacob did not deem 1t safe to make the proposed journey. Discretion if the better part of valor" God does not demand nor desire rashness and needless danger upon the part of his children.
 There are three main teachings 1T this lesson, aside from those of ths preceding chapter. CD That in mat teFS DL supItuE iHPDi soh@p AN N'' life of any man God is interested anc ready to lend his assistance. Jacot ready to lend his assistance.
 (2) There Is the lesson that while men with anxiety seek to make plans for the Kingdom 1t is only as the, fully commit themselves to him ant allow him to dominate and to guide will they spell success in their lives
 (3) And lastly, when God controls when he has the victory in oul hearts and our lives. he not onl, changes the attitude of our enemiei towards us but changes our attitude towards them. (Rom. 1920, 2l)
 The Golden Text emphasizes thi last thought The only way we cal possibly obey Paul's injunction vii be as we are ''in Christ Jesus" A we abide in, and recognizing the ex ceeding riches of his grace, as W recognize Gods forgiveness as man fest in Christ Jesus: as we submit t him, we will be able to "be kind on to another"