From Peniel, “the face of God” (see Genesis 32:30), the place where he had this experience with God, Jacob moves now to meet with his brother. After 20 years of separation, Jacob sees him coming with 400 men (Genesis 33:1). Jacob is worried, and therefore prepares himself and his family for whatever might happen.

Read Genesis 33:1-20. What connection is there between Jacob’s experience of seeing the face of God at Peniel and Jacob’s experience of seeing the face of his brother? What is the implication of this connection in regard to our relationship with God and our relationship with our “brothers,” whoever they may be?

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Jacob bows himself seven times before his brother (Genesis 33:3) whom he calls several times “my lord” (Genesis 33:8, Genesis 33:13, Genesis 33:15, NKJV) and identifies himself as his “servant” (Genesis 33:5; compare with Genesis 32:4, Genesis 32:18, Genesis 32:20, NKJV). Significantly, Jacob’s seven bows echo his father’s seven blessings (Genesis 27:27-29); furthermore, when he bows, he specifically reverses his father’s blessing, about “nations [bowing] down to you” (Genesis 27:29, NKJV).

It is as if Jacob’s intention was to pay his debt to his brother and return the blessing that he has stolen from him (see Genesis 33:11). When Esau saw his brother, against all expectations, he ran to Jacob and, instead of killing him, he “kissed him, and they wept” (Genesis 33:4, NKJV).

Later, Jacob commented to Esau: “I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God” (Genesis 33:10, NKJV). The reason for Jacob’s extraordinary statement is his understanding that Esau had forgiven him. The Hebrew verb ratsah, “pleased” (Genesis 33:10, NKJV) is a theological term referring to any sacrifice that is “pleasing,” “accepted” by God, which then implies divine forgiveness (Leviticus 22:27, Amos 5:22).

Jacob’s experience of God’s forgiveness at Peniel, where he saw the face of God, is now repeated in his experience of his brother’s forgiveness, which he identifies as if he saw the face of God. Jacob lives a second Peniel, the first one preparing for the second one. Jacob has been forgiven by God and by his own brother. Truly he now must have understood, even more than before, the meaning of grace.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Amen!(1)

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The book of Genesis offers us so many avast topics from which to choose a theme hymn. As we are starting at the very beginning, I would like to give praise to our Creator of heaven and earth in singing
Hymn 320 – Lord of Creation and 
Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and King. The stories that follow creation will lean back toward our amazing God and what He has done for each of us in creation.

Sabbath afternoon’s introduction to this week’s study time reminds us of “the hand of God and His faithfulness”:
Hymn 100 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness.  This is stated again at the end of the afternoon’s reading in “God is faithful to fulfil what He has promised” and we are encouraged to be
Standing on the Promises – Hymn 518.

Genesis 32:10 tells the story of how “Jacob, truly, has a better understanding of what grace was about”: 
Hymn 108 – Amazing Grace and 
Hymn 109 – Marvelous Grace. And yet, in instances we see Jacob did not 
Trust and Obey – Hymn 590 and had to learn to do this along with 
Only Trust Him – Hymn 279 and 
If You But Trust in God to Guide You – Hymn 510, because this truly is the 
God of Our Fathers – Hymn 645.

Monday lets us see the wonder of the forgiveness of sin as the two brothers, Esau and Jacob, hug and weep together: 
Hymn 299 – Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive.

Jacob committed himself to God as we are daily seeking to do: 
Hymn 634 – Come, All Christians, Be Committed. It is with wonder that we view God intervening when Jacob does obey (Wednesday): 
Hymn 590 – Trust and Obey.

Ellen G White writes with clarity in Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 201-203 (Friday) of God’s wondrous mercy: 
Hymn 521 – Depth of Mercy and 
Hymn 114 – There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy.

God’s abundant blessings this quarter as we study through the first book of the Bible which our gracious God has given. May we be faithful and all say “Come, Lord Jesus, come – very soon” so we are able to go to our new home in Heaven, as 
We Have This Hope – Hymn 214.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Amen!(0)

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-jacob-israel-singing-with-inspiration/