Jacob stayed in Haran twenty years. One night, as he was sleeping, God spoke to him, telling him to return to Chanaan.Jacob stayed in Haran twenty years. One night, as he was sleeping, God spoke to him, telling him to return to Chanaan.
So Jacob took all his family, all his flocks, camels, and cattle, and started on his way back to the Land of Chanaan.
As Jacob came near to Chanaan, he remembered why he had left it twenty years before. He remembered the anger of his brother Esau.
Being very much afraid, Jacob sent ahead some messengers with gifts to ask for him Esau's forgiveness.
When the messengers came back, they announced, "Esau is coming to meet you. He has four hundred men with him."
How afraid Jacob was! He believed that Esau was coming to destroy him and his companions. Falling upon his knees, he prayed God to help him.
That night, as Jacob prayed, a stranger appeared and wrestled with him until dawn. As it was beginning to be light, the stranger said to Jacob, "Let me go, for it is dawn."
But Jacob replied. "I will not let you go until you bless me."
What is your name?" asked the stranger.
"It is Jacob," was Jacob's answer.
"From now on," said the stranger, "you shall not be called Jacob, but Israel, which means Strength of God." He blessed Jacob, and disappeared.
At last Jacob knew that he had wrestled all night with an angel. He was glad, because he believed he had been given a sign that God would protect him against the anger of Esau.
In the morning Jacob saw Esau coming towards him with four hundred men. The moment Esau saw Jacob, he ran to meet him. Weeping. Esau embraced his brother Jacob. All his anger had disappeared.
Jacob was very happy that his brother had forgiven him. and gave Esau many gifts.
Finally Esau returned to his house. Jacob continued his journey till he arrived at Hebron. where his father Isaac lived.
- from My Bible History in Pictures, by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, D.D., 1934; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael J O'Doherty of Manila, Philippines