January 12 - Genesis 32:1-35:27

Good morning everyone,

Today we read how Jacob is preparing to meet Esau. You can imagine how nervous Jacob must have been over returning to his home. Jacob hasn’t seen or talked to his brother since he fled after tricking Esau out of his birth right and blessing. Jacob wants to pave the way and sends waves of gifts ahead of himself, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, plus male and female servants along with a message for Esau, in hopes of a favorable meeting. Jacob divided his group of people so that  if Esau did attacked he would not get all of them, he also sent his two wives and children across the ford of the Jabbok. While alone Jacob wrestled all night long in hand to hand combat with an angel, however Jacob over powered him and when the angel realized this he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip leaving him with a permanent limp. In Hosea 12:4 we will read that this was not only a physical struggle but it was a spiritual struggle as well, that Jacob wept and made supplication, he cried out to God and prayed. His faith saw him through and that night Jacob is told “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 

We’ll see that all Jacob’s fears about meeting his brother were in vain, Esau was overjoyed to see Jacob and meet his family. The enemy loves to work in our heads, loves to make us believe the worst. We need to always remember to go boldly in God.

God bless you all …