¹ And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.

² And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.

³ And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

⁴ And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

⁵ And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.

⁶ Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.

⁷ And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

⁸ And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

⁹ And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.

¹⁰ And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

¹¹ Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

¹² And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.

¹³ And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

¹⁴ Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.

¹⁵ And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.

¹⁶ So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.

¹⁷ And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

¹⁸ And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.

¹⁹ And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.

²⁰ And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.

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Introduction

After years of flight, fear, and separation, Jacob and Esau finally meet—two brothers whose relationship had been marred by deceit, anger, and mistrust. What might have become a dramatic confrontation ends instead in embrace and tears. This is one of the Bible’s most powerful stories of forgiveness, humility, and God’s work in human hearts.

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Commentary

1. Jacob’s Preparation (vv. 1–3)
   Jacob knows he faces a sensitive encounter. Fearing Esau’s reaction, he strategically arranges his family and leads humbly. Bowing seven times signifies profound humility—and perhaps genuine repentance. Jacob no longer wants to fight but to make peace.
   Spiritual insight: True reconciliation begins with a heart willing to humble itself.

2. Esau’s Response (vv. 4–11)
   Unexpectedly, Esau runs to his brother, embraces him, kisses him—both weep. Deep wounds can be healed when hearts soften. Seeing Esau’s forgiveness, Jacob exclaims, “I saw your face as though I’d seen God’s face.” He recognizes in that mercy a glimpse of God’s own nature.
   Spiritual insight: When we forgive, we reflect God’s heart.

3. Parting in Peace (vv. 12–16)
   Though Esau invites Jacob to travel together, Jacob declines graciously. Reconciliation does not always mean restoring the old status quo, but it does permit a new beginning free of bitterness.
   Spiritual insight: Reconciliation may lead to different paths, but it always creates peace.

4. Settlement and Altar in Shechem (vv. 17–20)
   Jacob builds a home and livestock pens at Succoth, then purchases land at Shechem and erects an altar to “El-Elohe-Israel.” He acknowledges that his peace and new start come from God alone.
   Spiritual insight: Every fresh start deserves an altar—an expression of thanksgiving and worship.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Summary

Jacob and Esau’s story vividly demonstrates God’s power to heal even the deepest rifts. Jacob arrives in fear but finds favor; Esau comes with four hundred men yet brings an embrace instead of vengeance. Where human effort fails, the Spirit of God effects true heart transformation.

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Today’s Message

1. Genuine repentance paves the way for reconciliation.
   Jacob’s humility was authentic—he had changed. When we seek forgiveness, it must spring from conviction, not mere obligation.

2. Grace can flow in the most unexpected places.
   Esau’s capacity to forgive was a miracle of grace. Perhaps there is someone in your life to whom you must extend—or from whom you should seek—forgiveness.

3. Reconciliation sparks a new journey with God.
   Jacob built an altar. After reconciliation, we too are invited to honor God—through prayer, service, and praise.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14

~~~~~ ~~~~~

May 11–17, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 4

“The Plan of Redemption”

Read online here

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Introduction

Chapter 4 of Patriarchs and Prophets, titled “The Plan of Redemption,” offers a profound glimpse into the heart of the Christian gospel. It portrays the cosmic significance of the Fall and God’s response through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. From heaven’s anguish over humanity’s sin to the unfolding of the rescue plan in Christ’s sacrifice, the text reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Commentary

1. Heavenly Sorrow and Christ’s Compassion
   After the Fall, all heaven mourns. The Son of God is moved with pity. Though the Creator could have left humanity to death, His love seeks a way of salvation.
2. The “Counsel of Peace” and Christ’s Self-Sacrifice
   Redemption is decreed in an eternal, loving agreement between the Father and the Son. Christ volunteers Himself as the ransom—an act that fills the angels with both awe and sorrow.
3. The Role of the Angels in the Plan of Redemption
   The angels cannot bear the burden of atonement, but they are commissioned to minister to humanity, to accompany Christ in His humiliation, and to support the unfolding of the redemption plan.
4. The Universal Significance of Christ’s Sacrifice
   Christ’s offering matters not only for mankind but for the entire universe. It answers questions about God’s justice, the unchangeable nature of His law, and the character of Satan.
5. The First Promise in the Garden of Eden
   Genesis 3:15 is presented as the “gospel in seed form.” It promises victory over Satan through the “seed of the woman,” ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
6. Hope Despite Judgment
   Although humanity has fallen, hope remains. Through repentance and faith, people can be restored as children of God.
7. The Sacrificial Service as Symbol
   The offerings continually reminded Adam of human sinfulness and the need for an atoning sacrifice. His first sacrifice was both painful and instructive.
8. The Cosmic Dimension of Redemption
   The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s justice and mercy to all creation. It upholds God as righteous while exposing Satan as accuser and deceiver.
9. The Significance of the Immutable Law
   If God’s law were changeable, Christ’s death would have been unnecessary. Instead, His sacrifice confirms the eternal and just character of the law.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Summary

The plan of redemption reveals God’s character—infinitely loving and perfectly just. Despite the depth of humanity’s fall, God offers restoration through Jesus Christ. Heaven, the universe, and humankind alike bear witness to the greatness of this plan, which was ordained before the foundation of the world.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Application for Today

• God sees our condition but does not abandon us.
• His love goes so far that He Himself bears the punishment we deserve.
• Christ is our substitute, our mediator, and our Savior.
• Faith in Him opens the way to forgiveness, life, and a future with God.
• Every person today has the opportunity to become part of this redemption.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16

Lesson 8.In the Psalms: Part 1

8.1 Our High Priest
The Heavenly High Priest – Jesus at the Center of Sanctuary and Hope

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Introduction

Imagine glimpsing into heaven—not at the stars but into the true sanctuary realm: Jesus Christ, our Savior, stands there as High Priest. From the Psalms through Hebrews to Revelation, Scripture testifies to this spiritual reality just as relevant today as for ancient Israel. Moses saw a copy, David longed for it, and we may know the original by faith. The question is not whether Christ ministers, but do I trust His ministry for me? In this lesson we dive into Hebrews 9 and Psalm 122, exploring Christ’s priestly work in heaven and its meaning for your life now.

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Bible Study

Hebrews 9:11–15 – Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things that are now already here… He entered once for all into the Most Holy Place, not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”

• Christ serves not in an earthly tent but in heaven’s true sanctuary.

• He offers His own blood, not animal sacrifices.

• His aim: eternal redemption—cleansing our conscience, not just our actions.

• He is Mediator of a new covenant: a living relationship with God.

• His sacrifice fully atones our sins—no further offerings needed.

Psalm 122 – Joy in God’s Presence

“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ … May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”

• Joy in worship and fellowship.

• The temple as place of justice, peace, and safety.

• Prayer for Jerusalem’s peace—a model of divine order.

• Unity and praise as expressions of God’s presence.

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Discussion Questions

1. What does Hebrews 9:11–15 teach about Christ’s work for us?

Christ is both Priest and Sacrifice—once, fully, personally. No repeated offerings, no lingering guilt, no other intercessor is needed. His blood cleanses our conscience. The new covenant transforms us from within, not just our circumstances.

 2. What can Psalm 122 teach us today about Christ’s work and our worship?

Though no earthly temple stands, the heart of worship—joy, peace, unity, praise—lives on. The worldwide Church gathers before God’s throne through Christ. Every prayer, every song is offered in Him, who grants us access to the Father’s presence.

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Spiritual Principles

• Christ is our sole access to God.

• True redemption transforms the heart, not just behavior.

• Worship flows from gratitude for His priestly work.

• God’s plan unfolds through His eternal covenant, not human systems.

• Christ’s ministry is active, present, and personal.

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Application for Daily Life

• Begin your day aware of Jesus’ heavenly ministry—your Advocate at the Father’s side.

• Keep worship fresh: you enter the Most Holy Place through Christ’s work.

• Pray confidently: your conscience is cleansed by His blood, not your efforts.

• View judgment as hope: your High Priest intercedes, not condemns.

• Cultivate fellowship: Psalm 122 invites collective rejoicing in God.

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Conclusion

No barrier stands between you and God—Christ’s blood, His priestly service, and His love keep the way open. The Psalms and Hebrews blend into a mighty chorus: “Come, enter in! Trust!” What was once a tent is now a living ministry in heaven—and in your heart. Sanctuary truths aren’t obsolete; they are the gospel’s heartbeat.

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Thought of the Day

You don’t need an earthly sanctuary—your High Priest lives, and He ministers for you today.

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Illustration – “The Locked Room”

May 18, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 32 – From Fear to Encounter: Jacob’s Wrestle with God and His Renaming as Israel

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Bible Text – Genesis 32 (KJV)

¹ And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

² And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

³ And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

⁴ And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

⁵ And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

⁶ And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

⁷ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

⁸ And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

⁹ And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

¹⁰ I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

¹¹ Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

¹² And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

¹³ And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

¹⁴ Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,

¹⁵ Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

¹⁶ And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

¹⁷ And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

¹⁸ Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

¹⁹ And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.

²⁰ And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.

²¹ So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.

²² And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

²³ And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

²⁴ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

²⁵ And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

²⁶ And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

²⁷ And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

²⁸ And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

²⁹ And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

³⁰ And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

³¹ And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

³² Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

 

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Introduction

Having been reconciled with Laban, Jacob now faces perhaps his greatest trial: meeting his brother Esau. Fear of revenge weighs heavily on him—after all, Jacob once deceived Esau. This chapter shows Jacob in deep inner turmoil, guided by divine messengers, strategic action, humble prayer, and a mysterious, life-changing encounter by night: wrestling with God. Jacob’s renaming to Israel marks a turning point in his spiritual journey and foreshadows the nation that will spring from him.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Commentary

1. God’s Messengers and Preparation (vv. 1–3)
   Jacob meets God’s angels—as he did at Bethel—and names the place Mahanaim (“Two Camps”), hinting at both the angelic host and his divided family. This divine encounter fortifies him for the coming test.

2. News of Esau’s Approach—Fear and Strategy (vv. 4–9)
   Jacob sends humble messengers to Esau: “Your servant Jacob…” Their return report—that Esau approaches with 400 men—fills Jacob with dread. He wisely divides his household and flocks into two camps, hoping at least one will survive.

3. Jacob’s Humble Prayer (vv. 10–13)
   In earnest humility Jacob appeals to God:

   • He invokes God’s promise.

   • He confesses his unworthiness.

   • He pleads for rescue from Esau.

   • He recalls God’s pledge of blessing.
     This prayer reveals Jacob’s growing trust that real help comes from God, not just human planning.

4. Reconciliation by Gifts (vv. 14–21)
   Jacob assembles a lavish gift of herds for Esau, sending them ahead in separate droves. This is not bribery but a sincere effort at making amends, while still exercising caution.

5. Night at the Jabbok—Separation and Solitude (vv. 22–24)
   Jacob crosses his wives and children over the ford, then remains alone. This deliberate solitude sets the stage for a divine encounter.

6. The Wrestle with God (vv. 25–30)
   A mysterious “man”—God manifest—wrestles with Jacob till dawn. Jacob’s thigh is dislocated, yet he refuses to relent until he receives a blessing. God then renames him Israel, “He who struggles with God.” In this moment Jacob is transformed, learning that his deepest conflict is with God himself—and that perseverance, not strength, yields blessing.

7. A New Name—Israel (vv. 28–29)
   The new name defines Jacob’s identity and calling: a nation will bear the name Israel. No longer “supplanter,” Jacob now clings to God.

8. Peniel—“Face of God” (vv. 30–33)
   Jacob calls the place Peniel, “I have seen God face to face.” His limp and the dietary prohibition on the hip sinew forever commemorate this profound encounter: true strength emerges from sacred weakness.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Summary

Genesis 32 finds Jacob on the brink of meeting Esau. Fear, strategy, and prayer precede a stunning nocturnal struggle with God Himself. Renamed Israel, Jacob emerges no longer as a crafty fugitive but as a blessed champion of God. His true adversary was not his brother but God—yet God meets him in the struggle, changes him, and grants him a new identity.

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Message for Today

• God meets us in our darkest nights. When fear grips us, God is often nearer than we think.

• Breakthrough comes in wrestling with God. Holding on, even when it hurts, defeats despair.

• Prayer matters more than plans. Jacob’s strategy was wise, but his deliverance began with humble prayer.

• Encounter changes us. We do not emerge from divine struggles unchanged—our limp can become a sign of grace.

• Weakness is no disgrace. Like Jacob, our scars can testify to God’s transforming power.

• God grants new identity. In Christ we receive names and destinies far beyond our past failures.

~~~~~ ~~~~~

May 11–17, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 4

“The Plan of Redemption”

Read online here

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Introduction

Chapter 4 of Patriarchs and Prophets, titled “The Plan of Redemption,” offers a profound glimpse into the heart of the Christian gospel. It portrays the cosmic significance of the Fall and God’s response through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. From heaven’s anguish over humanity’s sin to the unfolding of the rescue plan in Christ’s sacrifice, the text reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Commentary

1. Heavenly Sorrow and Christ’s Compassion
   After the Fall, all heaven mourns. The Son of God is moved with pity. Though the Creator could have left humanity to death, His love seeks a way of salvation.
2. The “Counsel of Peace” and Christ’s Self-Sacrifice
   Redemption is decreed in an eternal, loving agreement between the Father and the Son. Christ volunteers Himself as the ransom—an act that fills the angels with both awe and sorrow.
3. The Role of the Angels in the Plan of Redemption
   The angels cannot bear the burden of atonement, but they are commissioned to minister to humanity, to accompany Christ in His humiliation, and to support the unfolding of the redemption plan.
4. The Universal Significance of Christ’s Sacrifice
   Christ’s offering matters not only for mankind but for the entire universe. It answers questions about God’s justice, the unchangeable nature of His law, and the character of Satan.
5. The First Promise in the Garden of Eden
   Genesis 3:15 is presented as the “gospel in seed form.” It promises victory over Satan through the “seed of the woman,” ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
6. Hope Despite Judgment
   Although humanity has fallen, hope remains. Through repentance and faith, people can be restored as children of God.
7. The Sacrificial Service as Symbol
   The offerings continually reminded Adam of human sinfulness and the need for an atoning sacrifice. His first sacrifice was both painful and instructive.
8. The Cosmic Dimension of Redemption
   The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s justice and mercy to all creation. It upholds God as righteous while exposing Satan as accuser and deceiver.
9. The Significance of the Immutable Law
   If God’s law were changeable, Christ’s death would have been unnecessary. Instead, His sacrifice confirms the eternal and just character of the law.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Summary

The plan of redemption reveals God’s character—infinitely loving and perfectly just. Despite the depth of humanity’s fall, God offers restoration through Jesus Christ. Heaven, the universe, and humankind alike bear witness to the greatness of this plan, which was ordained before the foundation of the world.

══════════════════════════════════════════════

Application for Today

• God sees our condition but does not abandon us.
• His love goes so far that He Himself bears the punishment we deserve.
• Christ is our substitute, our mediator, and our Savior.
• Faith in Him opens the way to forgiveness, life, and a future with God.
• Every person today has the opportunity to become part of this redemption.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16