"As a prince hast thou prevailed."--_Genesis 32:28._
IT was a long journey that Jacob had had to take, but God took care of
him, and brought him safe to the home where his mother had come from.
He lived there, and took care of his uncle's sheep and cattle, till he
had earned a great many for his own; and he had married there, and had
a great many sons. But after a time God commanded him to go home to
the land of Canaan. He was afraid, because he thought his brother Esau
might still be angry with him; but, in spite of his fear, he did as God
bade him.
[Illustration: JACOB MEETING RACHEL.--Gen. 29:10-12.]
[Illustration: LABAN HIRING JACOB.--Gen. 29:18, 19.]
When he came near the river Jordan, which flows on the East side of the
land of Canaan, he prayed to God to guard him, and once more God let
him see the angels who were going with him to protect him. He was glad,
but he was still very careful. He chose out a present of cows, and
goats, and camels, and sheep, for Esau, and sent it on to meet him; and
then he sent on the other cattle he wanted to keep for himself; then
his children; and last of all, in the safest place, his dear young son
Joseph.
[Illustration: JACOB'S DEPARTURE FOR CANAAN.--Gen. 31:17, 18.]
Esau came to meet him, but not in anger. The two brothers met, and fell
on one another's neck and kissed one another, and were friends. So God
had kept His promise to take care of Jacob; and Jacob kept his promise,
for he set up an altar at Bethel, where he had seen the angels before,
and praised and blessed God.