Just Because You've Met with God Doesn't Mean You're Totally Fixed

Genesis 33:17ff (ESV) But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. 19 And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent.

Do you know what happens after Jacob and Esau reunite? Jacob goes back to being Jacob.

After stressing out for years about this moment, the day finally arrives and both men meet once again. Jacob has spent the previous day sending gifts to pacify his brother's wrath. He spent the previous morning wrestling with the pre-incarnate Christ who blessed him and changed his name to Israel. 

But the name "God Commands" is not quite appropriate for what happens as soon as Jacob realizes his brother holds no grudge and plans no revenge. Jacob takes up his mantel of deceit and double talk moments after. He tells Esau he's going to follow him to Sier but because of his family in toe, he must take his time and eventually get there. So Esau leaves and surprisingly Jacob doesn't follow. he jets for Succuth, a place of trade and wonderful business opportunities. He will find himself in Shechem according to the next chapter and things go horribly wrong. Jacob's old ways catch up to him and he eventually finds his way back to the house of God, Bethel, where God first appeared to him.

If you read Genesis 33, Esau comes off looking so much better than Jacob. He's forgiven his brother, he's made amends, he even offers to help him. The grudge is long gone and harmony is here to stay. We won't see Esau's bad side again. Jacob on the other hand, deceives and serves himself.

This is the second time God's chosen man looks more pagan than his unbelieving counterpart. Consider that Abraham was rebuked by Abimelech in Genesis 20. The story of Israel's beginning has to be true. If these were their made-up stories, the Jews who recorded them would need serious advice on developing their heroes and legends. Some of them just never learn!

But yet again is a subtle reminder. God insists on showing us the warts of his chosen because they are only His Chosen by grace! If it wasn't for God, Jacob would have languished under Laban, but he succeeded and thrived. If it wasn't for God, Abraham would have been executed, but he was protected and became rich. Lot would have been wiped out, Noah drowned or at least put to death while drunk and naked in his vineyard.  Those chosen of God are chosen NOT for their righteousness, but for God's glory. If He can change the world through theses people and their descendants, He can do anything!

What about your story? Why do we try so hard to cover up our faults? Is it not a case of trying to be the hero of our own story? Why should we bother! God gets no glory from you saving yourself. And eventually, your efforts will fail anyway and people will find out! I'm not suggesting you broadcast your faults to the world, but I am suggesting you let someone in to see you're not all that. By doing so, you may just give incredible hope to a sinner feeling too far gone in his own life. And that could make all the difference in helping them find Christ.