PREPARING TO MEET ESAV

“The messengers returned to Ya’akov saying, ‘We went to your brother Esav, and he is coming to meet you; with him are four hundred men.’”
Genesis 32:7

As Ya’akov prepared to meet his brother, Esav, once again, fear crept over him. It was at their last engagement that Esav had been tricked out of his firstborn privileges as Ya’akov posed as his brother in order to receive the blessing. In fear of his brother saying he would have revenge, Ya’akov had fled. Now unsure if the years had been long enough to overcome the anger, Ya’akov proceeded with caution.
Sending out his messengers toward the land of Se’ir, the country of Edom, Ya’akov gave directions to his men of what to say so that favor may be gained. His men however, returned a different message than what Ya’akov had desired to hear. They replied, “We went to your brother Esav, and he is coming to meet you; with him are four hundred men.” Right away panic overcame Ya’akov. He divided all his possessions into two camps, thinking that if one was attacked the other would be safe. Then, maybe in an effort to calm himself down, Ya’akov prayed. In his prayer he reminded Adonai of the promise made to his grandfather, Avraham, that carried on through his father, Yitz’chak, that now rested on him. Adonai had promised through him a great nation. So he pleaded with Adonai for a rescue.
It is here that I am challenged in my own way of life. I, like Ya’akov, have been told by Adonai of some of the blessings that He has for me. I, like Ya’akov, have worked to remind Adonai of these blessings when they seemed to not be working out. And I, like Ya’akov, have allowed panic before prayer. So then, here is the question. Why do we not make prayer first priority? Why do we allow ourselves to go through the panic and worry and make our own plans instead of running straight to Adonai? We treat Him as a backup plan when instead we should see Him as the first response.
Maybe today we should work to change this. Maybe today when we see our bleak situation, instead of allowing panic to run over us we can decide to go to Adonai first. This thought seems to fit with not only this situation but all situations. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to seek Adonai first. In making Him first we leave no room for panic and worry to reside.

Genesis 32:4-13