Genesis 33:1-20
After the LORD changed Abraham’s name, his old name of Abram disappeared for good. In contrast, the name of Jacob lives on right to the end and the new name of Israel only comes easily to him a long time after Peniel. This is a sign that the nature of the old Jacob, the supplanter, has not finished manifesting itself. However divine grace was evident towards him and his family. The LORD had answered his prayer (in Genesis 32:11) by influencing Esau’s heart (v. 4). And to emphasize that it really was God’s work, that the gifts carefully prepared by Jacob were all unnecessary because of Esau’s frame of mind, v. 8 shows us that Esau had not even understood their point. However we see poor Jacob’s fears reappearing. He could have given testimony to his confidence in the protection of an all-powerful God to Esau who wanted to protect him; instead of that he slips away by lying, saying he was going to Seir and making his way instead to Succoth. After this, which is even worse, he builds himself a house (v. 17), buys a field (v. 19), thus denying twice over his position as a stranger on the earth. Consequences of this soon follow: evil associations take place, which lead to the dishonour of his daughter and the dreadful vengeance of two of his sons, the sad subject of chapter 34.