To Close For Comfort

After the heights of chapter 33 where reconciliation was achieved with Esau Jacob journeys into the Land. He's destination is Beth El, but he stops a days journey short of Beth El and camps near the city.
This seemingly small mistake winds up costing Jacob big time. Not only Jacob, but also the whole family and anyone in this section of Scripture. There's lying, deception, murder, even using the sign of the covenant to achieve their end. But, although God is never mentioned, and seems outside of the story, God's grace and mercy shine forth as we see in ch 35:1. As horrid as the section is, there are many lessons to learn here for the believer in Christ. As we live in the world of sin.