12 “Well,” Esau said, “let’s be going. I will lead the way.” 13 But Jacob replied, “You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. 14 Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.”

15 “All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you.” Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!”

16 So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day. 17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).

18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town. 19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. 20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.

Genesis 33:12-20 (NLT)

More fear

Yesterday we witnessed the amazingly warm welcome Esau gave Jacob when he was reunited with his brother Jacob. Today we see Jacob not only resist Esau’s brotherly love and reconciliation, he lied to him. He had no intention of going to Seir, but rather, to Succoth. It seems clear that he was still living in fear. Even after such a wonderful reunion, the experience wrestling with God and the promises, he was not trusting the Lord fully.

Partial obedience

Jacob grew up in Beersheba under his father, Isaac. Do you also find it curious that he stops in Succoth (see the map – double-click to enlarge) then settles (and buys land) in Shechem? Why didn’t he move back down with mom and dad (who was still alive Genesis 35:28-29)? God had directed him to return to his family (Genesis 31:13). He only partially obeys the command.

Guilt altar

Jacob built an altar. He calls it El-Elohe-Israel – meaning “God, the God of Israel”. Seems like a good thing to do, right? My take on this is he feels guilty for how he responded to Esau and, not returning to his home so he built the altar out of guilt, to pacify the Lord. “The altar was good, but complete obedience was better. God wants obedience first, then sacrifice.” (enduringword.com) “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

RЯeflection

• Have you built an altar, of sorts, upon which to make sacrifices, to try to appease God when you know you have been disobedient? Are we “giving up” things (which is good) but not fundamentally obeying and trusting the Lord? What should we do in this case as the Spirit exposes our sin? Confess specifically and repent. Humble ourselves. Repentance in humility is good for the soul.