McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1918-11-22
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER "a
JACOB AND EsAu REcoNcILED.

LESSON TExT-Genesis s3:1-n.
GOLDEN TExT--A soft answer turnetf
| away wrath.-Proverbs ISL.
| DEVOTIONAL READING-Psaims 40.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL.-Genesis 81
s-33:2S.
From Bethel, Jacob went to Padan-
G-am 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-"diamond cuts
diamond"
I. Jacob Departs for Canaan t31
l1-2D.
The time had come for Jacob to
go back to his kindred In the land OF
Canaan. The Lord instructed him so
70 do ". 49,. Though going forward
u-der 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,
bat God appeared unto him in a 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)
Labans return freed Jacob from
:he enemy who was pursuing him from
behind, but he faced more formida-
tie one In the person of Esau.
1. Jacob meeting the angels ". u.
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
n prayer. This is fine specimen Of
effectual prayer. 1t Is short, direct.
and earnest. (1) He reminds God Of
his command issued for his return,
ard also of the covenant promise
(31 :3). Surely God would not issue
a command and then leave him in such
strait. f2) Pleads Gods promise
az to his personal safety ". 8. CT.
Genesis 2S 1918, 31-33). In our pray
ing we should definitely plead Gods
promises in his word, on the ground
If covenant relationship In Christ.
g, Confesses unworthiness ". 10).
In this he shows the proper spirit Of
humility. (4) Presents definite petit
tions ". III. He lays before the Lord
the definite request to be delivered
from the wrath of Esau.
8. The angel of Jehovah wrestling
with Jacob t32 :2432).
In Gods school of discipline, ia
cob is making some improvement, but
still he is under the sway of self
VIII 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
,curnevine along. A man met him and
,vrestled with him. hui Jacob knew not
Who he was. Perhaps he thought that
Fnsu had pounced upon him In the
dark. He exertei every ounce Of
strength. M what he thought was the
st-ugcl : Efor his very life. The morn
ing was approaching and still the
awrestlers continued, Jacob net know
ing II was Jehovah manifest in hui
nan form. ms II the second crisis
IN Jacobs me. ne ulo not care 70
enter the PROMISED lana under the CON
tro. OF ms seii-sunciency; ms selnsn
VIII must oe proxen; ms JacoDTnature
must 'ue cnaneeG uoo nuInDieu MN
oy disocatng ms tmsh. Wnen linus
numpied' ne quit wrestlng ana ciung
70 GOO. ne got tne blessing wnen ne.
conscious OF ms weakness iaio noid
OF GOD. a4fs