Good Morning “Faithful”. Today we are in Genesis 32.
Jacob is one of the most interesting studies in Scripture. He demonstrates moments of faith, but goes right back to scheming and planning to get what he believes God wants to give him. He prays for and asks for Gods protection, which God promises, even through appearance - But, then immediately begins to plan for his own protection.
As we come into this chapter we see he is horrified to meet Esau. Remember Esau was going to kill him. Jacob deceived Isaac into giving him the birthright that Esau had already sold him for a bowl of stew. Jacob was always the chosen one, so God would have worked it out this way regardless.
Remember God has promised to protect Jacob and bless him, and has proven Himself faithful to do it. I believe Jacob is a picture of us at times. We trust God, we believe His promises but operate in fear. Often we make plans and ask God to bless them instead of joining Him where He’s already working.
Out of fear Jacob divides his group - possibly the worst thing he can do if he believes he’s going into battle. He sends his servants on ahead with 500 animals as a gift. He instructs them to refer to Esau as Lord and Jacob as his servant. These words have meaning - huge meaning. By these words Jacob is treating Esau as if he is the Patriarch, as if he has the birthright. In this effort he is demonstrating, in a sense he’s willing to forfeit what God as ordained, if Esau will just let him live. God has a plan, we can’t undo it.
He sends his family and all his possessions across the Jabbok river and stays alone on the other side for the night. Why… likely he’s scared to death to face Esau and likely believes somehow he’ll be safer there until morning.
A man drops onto the scene without any warning and wrestles with Jacob until morning. In the beginning Jacob likely was fighting for his life, perhaps even trying to get away. When the man saw that he could not overpower him the text says he touched Jacob’s hip and dislocated it. Now the Hebrew word here is one that describes an incredible blow. The hip doesn’t just locate with a touch.
I believe it’s at this moment Jacob realizes this isn’t just a man. With Jacob incapacitated he now hangs on for dear life. The jig is up - Jacob now clearly knows who he’s been wrestling with. This is another pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, but why? Perhaps to teach Jacob a thing or two about himself. Perhaps to show Jacob in a very physical way he can’t win in a battle with The Lord.
God does bless him. Even changes his name here. Check it out for yourself. Dig in! Don’t just demonstrate moments of faith - be faithful. Love you all!
Jacob is one of the most interesting studies in Scripture. He demonstrates moments of faith, but goes right back to scheming and planning to get what he believes God wants to give him. He prays for and asks for Gods protection, which God promises, even through appearance - But, then immediately begins to plan for his own protection.
As we come into this chapter we see he is horrified to meet Esau. Remember Esau was going to kill him. Jacob deceived Isaac into giving him the birthright that Esau had already sold him for a bowl of stew. Jacob was always the chosen one, so God would have worked it out this way regardless.
Remember God has promised to protect Jacob and bless him, and has proven Himself faithful to do it. I believe Jacob is a picture of us at times. We trust God, we believe His promises but operate in fear. Often we make plans and ask God to bless them instead of joining Him where He’s already working.
Out of fear Jacob divides his group - possibly the worst thing he can do if he believes he’s going into battle. He sends his servants on ahead with 500 animals as a gift. He instructs them to refer to Esau as Lord and Jacob as his servant. These words have meaning - huge meaning. By these words Jacob is treating Esau as if he is the Patriarch, as if he has the birthright. In this effort he is demonstrating, in a sense he’s willing to forfeit what God as ordained, if Esau will just let him live. God has a plan, we can’t undo it.
He sends his family and all his possessions across the Jabbok river and stays alone on the other side for the night. Why… likely he’s scared to death to face Esau and likely believes somehow he’ll be safer there until morning.
A man drops onto the scene without any warning and wrestles with Jacob until morning. In the beginning Jacob likely was fighting for his life, perhaps even trying to get away. When the man saw that he could not overpower him the text says he touched Jacob’s hip and dislocated it. Now the Hebrew word here is one that describes an incredible blow. The hip doesn’t just locate with a touch.
I believe it’s at this moment Jacob realizes this isn’t just a man. With Jacob incapacitated he now hangs on for dear life. The jig is up - Jacob now clearly knows who he’s been wrestling with. This is another pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, but why? Perhaps to teach Jacob a thing or two about himself. Perhaps to show Jacob in a very physical way he can’t win in a battle with The Lord.
God does bless him. Even changes his name here. Check it out for yourself. Dig in! Don’t just demonstrate moments of faith - be faithful. Love you all!
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