And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'”
Genesis 32:9-12
Remember that time when Jacob deceives Isaac to steal Esau’s blessing and Esau said he’s going to kill Jacob? Well, Jacob certainly remembers, because he ran away from Esau.
Now, Jacob is about to meet Esau after a long period of time. When Jacob sent messengers to Esau, his messengers came back with a report that told Jacob that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men.
Jacob is scared now (Genesis 32:7) and he prays to God. He thanks God for his provision and faithfulness towards him (Genesis 32:10). He asks God to save him from Esau and claims the promise God made to him (Genesis 32:11-12).
How can God keep his promise if Jacob’s whole family is wiped out? But Jacob reminds God of His promise to him. As we read in chapter 33, God does indeed save Jacob as his brother had no intention of killing him.
One thing to note is that at this point, the Lord still isn’t the God of Jacob. The Lord is only Abraham and Isaac’s God. Jacob at this point, still hasn’t returned to Bethel where he made the vow to the Lord that the Lord will be his God if he is able to return to Bethel (Genesis 28:20-22).
Still, Jacob has more faith in God now than he first did; when he made the vow. Faith can build with small steps or giant leaps. It depends on how much faith you have.
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24