Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: Jacob, for Deliverance from Esau

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Jacob's prayer for deliverance from his brother Esau is a profound example of answered prayer, demonstrating God's faithfulness and the power of earnest supplication. This event is recorded in Genesis 32, where Jacob, returning to Canaan after years of service to his uncle Laban, faces the daunting prospect of meeting Esau, whom he had wronged years earlier by deceitfully obtaining the blessing meant for Esau.

Context and Background

Jacob's fear of Esau is rooted in their tumultuous past. After Jacob's deception, Esau harbored a murderous grudge against him, prompting Jacob to flee to Haran (Genesis 27:41-43). Now, as Jacob returns with his family and possessions, he learns that Esau is approaching with 400 men, a detail that understandably fills him with dread (Genesis 32:6).

Jacob's Prayer

In his distress, Jacob turns to God in prayer, acknowledging his unworthiness and expressing his dependence on divine mercy. His prayer is recorded in Genesis 32:9-12:

"Then Jacob declared, 'O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD, who said to me, "Go back to your country and your kindred, and I will make you prosper," I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he may come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But You have said, "I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count."'"

Jacob's prayer is marked by humility, gratitude, and a reminder to God of His promises. He acknowledges his own unworthiness and the abundant blessings he has received, and he pleads for deliverance based on God's covenantal promises.

God's Response

God's response to Jacob's prayer is not recorded as a direct verbal answer but is evident in the events that follow. Jacob's encounter with God in the form of a mysterious man, with whom he wrestles until daybreak, signifies a transformative moment in Jacob's life (Genesis 32:24-30). This encounter leaves Jacob with a limp and a new name, Israel, symbolizing his struggle and prevailing with God.

The ultimate answer to Jacob's prayer is seen in the reconciliation with Esau. When the brothers finally meet, Esau runs to embrace Jacob, showing no sign of hostility (Genesis 33:4). This unexpected and gracious reception is a testament to God's intervention and the power of prayer.

Significance

Jacob's prayer for deliverance from Esau highlights several key aspects of prayer in the biblical tradition. It underscores the importance of approaching God with humility and gratitude, acknowledging one's dependence on His mercy. It also illustrates the significance of reminding God of His promises, not as a means of manipulation, but as an expression of faith in His faithfulness.

Moreover, the narrative demonstrates that God's answers to prayer may not always come in expected forms. Jacob's wrestling with God and the subsequent reconciliation with Esau reveal that divine intervention can manifest in transformative personal experiences and in the hearts of others.

In summary, Jacob's prayer for deliverance from Esau serves as a powerful example of how earnest prayer, rooted in humility and faith, can lead to divine intervention and reconciliation, fulfilling God's promises and purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 32:9-32
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which said to me, Return to your country, and to your kindred, and I will deal well with you:
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Genesis 33:1-17
And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children to Leah, and to Rachel, and to the two handmaids.
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Library

The Twofold Wrestle --God's with Jacob and Jacob's with God
... of this lesson, and is God's answer to his prayer. ... The 'man' seeks to overcome Jacob,
not Jacob the man. ... same, however the question as to its form be answered. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the twofold wrestlegods with jacob.htm

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... The joy of answered prayer is the joy of a ... The possibilities of prayer are seen from
the diverse ... Jacob's praying changed Esau's murderous hate into the kisses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... When Jacob heard that his brother Esau was coming against him, with an army ... this
means our Lord had sufficiently tried her faith, he answered her prayer. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Order and Argument in Prayer
... When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and his brother ... water that
was in the trenches, for Jehovah God had answered his servant's prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/order and argument in prayer.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. ... Had not Jacob previously
repented of his sin in ... God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

The Time of Trouble
... not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. ... Had not Jacob previously
repented of his sin in ... God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

Questions.
... 20. What was Jacob's prophecy of the Redeemer?"Gen. ... What feast was appointed in
remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt? ... How was Daniel's prayer answered? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Fourth Season,
... you but plead them with God as Jacob did, ("Thou ... threatening that then he should
die; he answered, "Did I ... there wrestled mightily with God in prayer, even unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm

Acts III
... 12) "Then Peter, seeing this, answered to the ... miracles were wrought, but it was only
"the prayer of faith ... blessing which he had already given to Jacob; but this ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iii.htm

The Life of John Nisbet of Hardhill.
... of Esau; and then the cause of Jacob and Joseph ... of precious Christ with my blood,
who hath answered and granted ... here and pour out my last prayer,"sing forth ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of john nisbet.htm