The Brinkley argus., 1918-11-22
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 24
JACOB AND EsAu REcoNcILED.


 GOLDEN TExT-A soft answer turneth away wrath.-Proverbs 15:1.
 DEVOTIONAL READINGNPsalms 46
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Genesis 8: 3-33:28
 From Bethel, Jacob went to Padan- eram to his mothers people. Here he served Laban for twenty years-four- teen years for his wives and six years for certain wages. In his dealings with Laban he finds his match-two schemers get together-"dia cuts diamond"
 1. Jacob Departs for Canaan (31 :: l1-2D.
 The time had come for Jacob to go back to his kindred in the land of Canaan. The Lord instructed him so to do (v. 13). Though going forward under the direction of God, his Jacob nature caused him to take clandestine leave of Laban. When Laban realized the situation he went in hot pursuit, but God appeared unto him in dream and warned him against any act of vi- olence toward Jacob. They formed a compact and Laban returned home.
 II. Jacob on the Way (chapter 32.)
 Laban's return freed Jacob from the enemy who was pursuing him from hetind, but he faced more formida- ble one in the person of Esau.
 1. Jacob meeting the angels (v. D.
 Two camps of angels met him to give him the assurance that God would be with him according to his promise. Notwithstanding this, he continued to scheme. He sent a, deputation with a message of good cheer to Esau.
 2. Jacob praying (vv. 9-12).
 Esau made no reply to Jacobs mes sage, but went forward with an army of men, four hundred strong, to meet Jacob. Jacob is in great distress, therefore he casts himself upon God Tn prayer. This is fine specimen of effectual prayer. It is short, direct, and earnest. (D He reminds God of his command issued for his return, and also of the covenant promise (31 :3). Surely God would not issue a command and then leave him in such a strait. (2) Pleads Gods promise as to his personal safety (v. 9, cf. Genesis 28 8:13-15, 31-33). In our pray ing we should definitely plead Gods promises in his word, on the ground If covenant relationship in Christ. (3) Confesses unworthiness (v. 1O). In this he shows the proper spirit of humility. (4) Presents definite peti- tions (v. ID. He lays before the Lord the definite request to be delivered from the wrath of Esau.
 3. The angel of Jehovah nrestling with Jacob (32 :2432).
 Tn Gods school of discipline. Ja- cob is making some improvement. but still he is under the sway of self will and self-trust. Though he had laid the matter definitely before the Lord, he thought that his scheming would render God some assistance. Accordingly, he sent presents ahead to appease the anger of Esau. While jcurneying along, man met him and wrestled with him, but Jacob knew not who he was. Perhaps he thought that Easu had bounced upon him in the cark. He exerted every ounce Of strength in what he thought was the struggle for his very life. The morn ing was approaching, and still the wrestlers continued, Jacob not know ing it was Jehovah manifest in hu- nan form. This is the second crisis in Jacobs life. He did not dare to enter the promised land under the con trol of his self-sufficiency; his selfish will must be broken; his Jacob-nature must be changed. God humbled him by dislocating his thigh. When thus humbled, he quit wrestling and clung to God. He got the blessing when he. conscious of his weakness, laid hold of God.
 4. Jacob gets a new name (v. 2S).
 He was no longer Jacob, the sup planter; but Israel, prince Of God. His new name was given him after he had a new nature. He came face to face with God, and face to face with himself, and fought the battle to a finish. We must have the new na- fore before we can enter the place or blessing. Jacob came to realize that he had been struggling with God, for he called the place "Peniel," which means "face to face with God"
 III. Jacob Meets Esau (33:l1D.
 God bad evidently wrought with Esau, for when Jacob approached him the sting of bitterness was gone. It was not Jacobs scheming that re- moved Esau's anger, but the action or the Supernatural upon his heart. At Jabbok Jacob got right with God, so when he met Esau it was an easy matter to get right with him. When we are right with God 1t is an easy matter to get right with our brother.