The Elbert County tribune., 1918-11-22
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER "a
JACOB AND esAu REcoNcILEo.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis as1-if.
GOLDEN TEXT-A soft answer turneth
away wrath.-Proverbs ISL.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Psa1ms &c.
ADDITIONAL. MATERIAIs-Genesis %:
s-33.2s
From Bethel. Jacob went to Padan-
oram 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 togcther-"diamond cuts
diamond"
I. Jacob Departs for Canaan t31:
11-21).
The time had come for Jacob to
go back to his kindred in the land Of
Canaan. The Lord instructed him so
to do ". 13). Though going forward
uEder 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
oIence toward Jacob. They formed
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
behind. but he faced more formida-
lie one In the person of Esau.
/. Jacob meeting the angels ". ~.
Two camps of angels met him to
give him the assurance that God would
re with him according to his promise.
Notwithstanding this, he continued to
scheme. He sent n. deputation with
message of good cheer to Esau.
.. Jacob praying wv. 9-12).
Esau made no reply to Jacobs mes
sage, but went forward with an army
uf men, four hundred strong. to meet
Jacob. Jacob Is in great distress,
therefore he casts himself upon God
IN prayer. This is fine specimen Of
efrectual prayer. It is short, Girect.
and earnest. (1) He reminds God Of
his command issued for his return,
and also OF the covenant promise
(3l :3). Surely God would not issue
n command and then leave him in such
a strait. (2) Pleads Gods promise
as to his personal safety ". o. cf.
Genesis 2S 1913, 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 ". Joy.
In this he shows the proper spirit of
humility. {4) Presents definite peti-
tions ". 1D. He lays before the Lord
the definite request to be delivered
from the wrath of Esau.
3. The angel of Jehovah wrestling
With Jacob (32 ;24-32).
In Gods school of discffi,5A 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 schemlng
would render God some assistance.
Accordingly. he sent presents ahead
tn appease the anger Of Esau. While
jcurneying along. a man met him and
wrestled with him, but Jacob knew not
Who he was. Perhaps he thought that
Fasu had pounced upon him In the
lark. He exerted every ounce Of
strength I'm what he thought was the
struggle for his very life. The morn
ing was approaching. and still the
wrestlers continued, Jacob not know
ing 1t was Jehovah manifest In hui
IT an form. This is the second crisis
IN Jacobs life. He did not dare to
enter the promised land under the CON
tro, of his self-sufficiency: his selfish
VII must be broken; his Jacob-naturc
must be changed. God humbled him
by dislocat'ng his thigh. When thus
humhled. he quit wrestling aud clung
to God. He got the blessing when he.
conscious of his weakness, laid hold
of God.
a. Jacob gets new name ". 2S).
He was no longer Jacob, the sup
planter; but Israel. prince of God.
His new name was given him after
ne had new nature. He came face
to face with God, and face to face
with himself, and fought the battle to
finish. We fnust have the new na-
it-re before we can enter the place Of
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 lid.
God had evidently wrought with
Esau. for when Jacob approached him
the sting of bitterness wGs eSse. It
was not Jacobs scheming that re-
moved Esau's anger, but the action Of
the Supernatural upon his heart. At
Jabbok Jacob got right with God, 50
when fc met Esau 1t was an easy
matter to get right Wit. him. When
ne are right with God it is an cas-.
n.atter 10 get right with our brother.