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  • Succoth v. Seir

    Posted on June 19th, 2013 rhonda No comments

     

    “But Jacob said to him . . . .

    So let my lord go on ahead of his servant,

    while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.

    So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. 

    Jacob, however, went to Succoth . . . .”

    Genesis 33:13-16

     

    In my last post, I wrote about Jacob & Esau, which prompted me to read through their story again.  During that last reading, I caught another of Jacob’s betrayals.

     

    Esau was not only ready to forgive Jacob for receiving his birthright, but eager to visit  with his younger brother.  Jacob kept stalling, and ultimately lied.  He said he would catch up to Esau in Seir.  After Esau was out of sight, Jacob went to Succoth.  The Bible doesn’t mention them ever meeting again.  Imagine how much hurt Esau to realize that his brother ducked him – again.  If he’d been ready to forgive, I can see how Jacob’s side-stepping would have reopened that wound, resulting in cold war between two nations.

     

    Guilt and anxiety can hurt a person and their relationships.  Genesis 32 reveals that Jacob was afraid his brother would kill him; so he took several precautionary measures.  Esau’s warm greeting did not allay Jacob’s fears.

     

    There’s a right way and a wrong way to do things.  If Jacob wanted a blessing, he should have asked God.  Then he would not have to live in guilt and fear.  If he was still afraid of his brother, he should have talked to his brother.  He maybe should have apologized, not lie and run.

     

    I’ve had relationships end – in right ways and in wrong ways.  I know from experience that the manner of the ending makes a difference.  Paul & Barnabas argued and separated for a while (Acts 15:36-41), but later reunited and worked together (I Corinthians 9:6).  What’s your experience been?  Make a comment.

     

    “Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?”

    I Corinthians 9:6

     

    2 responses to “Succoth v. Seir” RSS icon

    • I came across your article while researching Jacob and Esau, and I noticed you said they never meet again, however Genesis 35:29 says “And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him”. Still a good post but I hope this adds clarity


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