Genesis 32 – 34
If you remember, Jacob ran away from his mother and father’s household because his brother Esau was so angry he had been threatening to kill Jacob after Isaac died. This is on Jacob’s mind as he heads for home. In an attempt to appease Esau and pave the way for a peaceful arrival, Jacob sends greetings to Esau, and then receives word that Esau is already on his way to meet them “with an army of 400 men.”
Jacob prays and reminds God that of His promises and that he is returning because God told him to.
Hoping to appease Esau, Jacob begins to send gifts to Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, 10 male donkeys. He sends them ahead telling the servants to keep distance between the herds.
That night Jacob takes everyone else across the Jabbok River with all his possessions. He stays alone in camp. A man comes and wrestles with him “until dawn began to break.” In order to prevail, the man touches Jacob’s hip and wrenches it out of its socket. Jacob would not let him go until he received a blessing. Just as God changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah, He changes Jacob’s name to Israel, i.e., from supplanter to prince with God or power with God. This is why the people of Israel don’t eat the tendon near the hip socket.
The Smother’s Brothers used to argue about whom Mom loved best. Jacob does not leave anyone wondering: Thinking Esau might attack, he puts the servant wives and their children first, Leah and her children next and finally Rachel and Joseph.
Esau and Jacob weep when they see each other.
Have you ever had a family that fought, that wouldn’t even speak to each other? Maybe, that battle didn’t involve death threats, but serious hostility. How moving the meeting of Esau and Jacob is. Still, Jacob is clearly not convinced that Esau is being completely upfront, since rather than going to Seir as he told Esau he would, he settles near the town of Shechem, even buying a plot of land for 100 pieces of silver from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem.
At this point, it’s time to call the Special Victims Unit. Dinah, daughter of Jacob and Leah, is attacked and raped by Shechem, the local prince. Unfortunately for Shechem, he falls in love with Dinah and pleads to marry her. Dinah’s brothers are furious and, unknown to Jacob, deceive Shechem and his father into thinking they will allow the marriage if Hamor, Shechem, and all of the males in Shechem will be circumcised. It only took two of Jacob’s sons (Simeon and Levi) to kill all of the males and take Dinah back to their camp. Jacobs other sons loot the place and take all of the women and children.
Jacob, afraid of how he will be perceived, is very angry, but the boys don’t back down: “…why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?” It is evident they had special feelings for Dinah and I hope they helped her through this time.
There is nothing written about how Dinah dealt with this or whether she ever married and had children. I imagine it was tough, but I bet her brothers helped her.
Tomorrow, it’s Genesis 35 – 37.
Dehydrating Cucumbers
Today, I decided to dehydrate some cucumbers. I first took off the skin, then used my nifty mandoline to slice them, and finally, soaked them for a few minutes in a combo of soy sauce and water. After they were on the trays, I lightly salted and peppered the slices. One large cucumber fills one tray. The only thing about doing this is that cucumber do not smell as good as strawberries.
These are supposed to be as good as potato chips. I seriously doubt it, but I’m willing to try.
Until next time…
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