Genesis 38 affirms the wisdom of God in preparing to send the Jewish people into Egypt to maintain their religious and ethnic purity by noting how Judah had began to intermarry with the Canaanites. So, chapter 39 continues with God’s preparation, returning the attention back to Joseph.
Genesis 36 ends with the “toldot” (what had became of) Esau. And his genealogical history is outlined to indicate his material prosperity and greatness. But there is an even greater spiritual significance of these things, showing how that the world experiences prosperity when God’s people learn to patiently wait on Him.
After the rape of Dinah, Simeon and Levi, her brothers, took revenge and killed all the men of Shechem. Jacob reprimanded his two sons for their violent acts and feared the destruction of his clans by vengeful Gentile neighbors. God once again rescued Jacob and told him to return to Bethel, where God appeared to him when he fled from his brother Esau.
After Jacob encounters his brother Esau in peace, Esau returns to Mt. Stir bu Jacob settles outside of Shechem. In time, Jacob’s daughter Leah decides to socially interact with the daughters of the Canaanite city-state of Shechem. She is discovered by Shechem, the prince of the town and is raped.
After wrestling with God and receiving a new name to reflect his changed character, Jacob proceeded towards the Land of Promise. His faith was strengthened; but he was still fearful of meeting his brother Esau. So, once again he devised a plan of escape for his family by separating them into three groups.
