Peniel for Palestinians and Israelis

This week’s traditional Torah reading reveals the story of the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau in Genesis 33, preceded by Jacob’s wrestling with the Lord and having his name and identity changed to “Israel” (Genesis 32:29). There are many symbolic/prophetic parables in these passages, especially for those who are involved in the oneness of Jew and Arab (particularly Israeli and Palestinian) believers through Yeshua. I’d like to mention briefly just two of them.

The first is when Yisrael (Jacob) says to Esau, “I have seen your face as seeing the face of God, and you received me favorably.” רָאִיתִי פָנֶיךָ כִּרְאֹת פְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים וַתִּרְצֵנִי(33:10). In the reconciliation of Jew and Arab through Yeshua, there is a revelation and witness of the face and presence of God – both to ourselves and to those around us. There is a play on the word peniel פניאל “the face of God”. Jacob sees the face of God first in his encounter with the God-Man of chapter 32 verse 31, and again in the reconciliation with Esau in chapter 33 verse 10.

Secondly, when Yisrael-Yaakov gives his blessing to Esau, he reverses his former behavior of having stolen the blessing from Esau in chapter 27. Jacob entreats Esau: “Now accept my blessing which was brought to you.” קַח־נָא אֶת־בִּרְכָתִי אֲשֶׁר הֻבָאת לָךְ (33:11). As Yaakov he took the blessing by deceit. Now as Yisrael he gives a blessing back to Esau by grace.

There is an interesting follow-up to these encounters. In chapter 35, verse 29, Jacob and Esau bury their father Isaac together. They were apparently living in reconciliation at the time. Furthermore, in the next chapter (36), verses 7-8, we are told that both Jacob and Esau were so blessed that the land could not hold them. So, Esau voluntarily moved his whole tribe across the Jordan to the area of Edom and Seir, which was his destined land of inheritance in God’s plan from the beginning.

Then Esau’s descendants grew to multiplied tribes and kings, in a manner quite similar to Israel. This also was God’s plan for Esau: parallel blessing and destiny to Israel. When we understand the depth and breadth of God’s grace, we realize that there are more than enough blessings to go around for everyone. Even the worst political, racial, and religious problems can be solved in this way.

We as believers in Yeshua should walk in the identity of Yisrael (princes and princesses of God). We freely give our blessings to one another; we give by grace instead of taking by deceit. And we perceive the face and image of God in one another. May the Lord help us to walk in that identity, and act in grace toward one another. Even if we have to struggle with the God-Man all night to get to that attitude and identity; and even if it makes us “limp” (32:25).