Bible Chapter: Genesis 32
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.Jacob continued on his journey to return to the land where he grew up. He had been gone twenty years. He sent messengers ahead to let his brother, Esau, know he was on his way. Jacob began to panic when he learned that Esau was coming to greet him with four hundred men. The only thing Jacob could think was that Esau was coming to get revenge for the deception of twenty years earlier and they would all be killed. I think this is another good illustration of the dangers of deceit. Jacob prayed for God’s protection. It seems that scary moments lead people to pray. Jacob split up his family and all his wealth into groups. The first ones he sent were part of a large gift, (a bribe?) to get to Esau first. His goal was to appease him.
The night before they met, Jacob sent his family ahead and spent the night alone. A man showed up and they wrestled all night. Towards the end Jacob asked for the man to bless him. It is at this point that Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. He had been a deceiver all his life. He was transitioning to be the man God designed him to be, a leader of his family that would become a great nation. Jacob was finally learning that his life was dependent on God, not his own efforts and manipulation.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Jacob learned total submission to God. It took him a long time. My observations in life include the fact that most of us take a lifetime to learn to really trust God. We trust Him and then we have to learn to trust Him to a higher level. Being willing to trust God and being faithful to Him are valuable lessons to learn. We are always better off the more we trust God.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people learn to trust God. Some of the roads we travel will be difficult. Yet, God never leaves us in the hard times. He comes through in amazing ways.
