Jacob’s Mistake

Gen. 32:20 

For [Jacob] said, “I will appease him with the offering that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face, perhaps he will accept me.”

Jacob was a man of faith. Like his grandfather Abraham, he had a relationship with YHWH. Also like his grandfather, his faith was tested. One such test was when he was returning to his homeland and had to face his brother Esau, who had previously made plans to kill him.  

Jacob was scared. When he found out that his brother was coming towards him with four hundred men, he figured he was a dead man. Upon hearing this news, he promptly separated his company into two camps. He then prayed. Gen. 32:10-13. 

 …I am not worthy of all Your loving kindness and all Your faithfulness which You have shown toward Your servant. Save me, I ask You, from the hand of my brother…” 

Next, Jacob devised a plan. He sent several groups of his men in front of him, each to present an offering to Esau. Two hundred female goats and twenty male goats. Two hundred ewes and twenty rams. Thirty milking camels and their colts…., and so on. He then told each group to say to his brother, “These belong to your servant Jacob; it is an offering sent to my master Esau. And look, he is coming behind us.”

For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face, perhaps he will accept me.”

Jacob thought that by showering his brother with gifts, he could pacify Esau’s anger. Two things should be noted concerning Genesis 32:20 (32:21 in the Hebrew Bible):

The word Jacob used that is commonly translated as “appease” is the same word that is elsewhere translated as atone. Jacob thought that his gifts would provide atonement for himself. He figured that this atonement would cause his brother to accept him.  

Moreover, the word Jacob used that is often translated as “present” is the same word that is elsewhere translated as meat offering.

[It is what Cain and Abel brought before YHWH in Genesis chapter 4. It was later commanded to be offered twice a day, every day, along with the morning and evening burnt offerings. At this time, it was fine flour, unleavened, mixed with oil and salt on a frying pan, and offered with frankincense.  According to Messianic prophecy, this Temple service offering will be restored. Mal. 3:3; Jer. 33:18.]

Jacob thought that the offerings he gifted Esau would cause him to “lift his face” (literal translation) and show him mercy. But what does the Spirit say? 

Psa. 40:6 

Slaughtering and offering You did not desire; my ears have You opened. Burnt offering and sin offering have You not required. 

Psa. 141:2 

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.

Jacob failed to realize that what really matters is our repentant hearts. This is also expressed by the prophet Hoshua:

Hos. 6:6

For kindness I desired, and not sacrifice, and a knowledge of Elohim above burnt offerings.

14:2 (3)

With words, return to YHWH. Say to Him: ‘Carry all [our] iniquity and accept [the] good. We make restoration with the [offerings] of our lips.’

If our hearts are not broken and we do not apply His teaching to our lives, the prophet Isaiah said that He will not accept any of our pious works.

Stop bringing futile offerings, incense, it is an abomination to Me. New Months, Sabbaths, the calling of gatherings – I am unable to bear unrighteousness and assembly.

[Isa. 1:13. See also 43:23 & 66:3.]

If, on the other hand, we return to YHWH, He will not smite us for our sins. Instead, He will fall on our necks and embrace us as Esau did with Jacob. Gen. 33:4.

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