Even when we know the blessing of trusting in God, we can slide right back to trusting in ourselves. As a matter of fact, we all do it, all the time. Self-sufficiency is our default mode when the alarm goes off every morning. In chapter 32 Jacob is returning home and in awe of what God has done for him and particularly now in God sending him home, but Jacob is also afraid of a reunion with his brother Esau. It’s been 20 years since they were together, and Esau wanted to kill him for how Jacob had deceived him. Jacob sends a message to Esau that he is coming home. He wants to test the waters. The messenger returns saying Esau and 400 men are on the way. This is Jacob’s nightmare coming true.
