Genesis 32:7 - Jacob panicked and prayed. He said to God: "I don't deserve your Love & Loyalty. I went from the clothes on my back to 2 camps." There is something so inviting to me about Jacob's words. God is stirring his heart to trust in his desperation as 400 men are pursuing him led by his brother who threatened to kill him. Having known violence myself, I would panic. But how I love it when in Gen. 32:24-25, Jacob wrestles with God. I've thought about this verse so much going through cancer and God allowing it. It has been 150 years of Jacob wrestling on and off to make him into Israel this day. He wrestled with God and God came through. And what's one of the first things that Israel does? He looks up in Gen 33:1 and sees 400 mounted men and he moves to honor his wicked brother. Wow. Esau ran and embraced him. For those in my life who maybe don't see eye-to-eye with me, I hope we can embrace one day soon for I must say that God has put love in my heart. I'll keep on praying for them, for me, for you. God loves that, doesn't He?
PS - I was going to wait til tomorrow to ask this---but what is most alive in Jacob's heart? He had great moments at Bethel. But in these last verses today, his daughter is raped and Jacob remained quiet about it. Oh my goodness! That's not right with God! I was raped when I was 16 and my parents remained quiet and I had to wrestle with it for years and still do in some ways. But God will make everything right one day and I know that! But here's a man named Israel who is still acting like Jacob the deceiver and God just got hold of him. He's going to change right before our eyes cause God is all over him and he can't stay where He is. Praying today that God will be all over us this day and we can't stay wherever it is we are that is not right with Him.
"Then he built an altar there and named it El-Elohe-Israel (Mighty Is the God of Israel)."
ReplyDeleteJacob surely had been blessed by God during the years with Laban. Instead of being murdered by his brother after stealing his brother's blessing, he was blessed. After building this altar, a very tragic thing took place...Dinah was raped and evidently held captive by her rapist.
Jacob names God at this altar "Mighty" but he waits on his sons to take any action about his own daughter, Dinah.
Simeon and Levi become her rescuers and Jacob still voices fear and panic that they are about to be destroyed by the people of that land.
He misses the STRONG & MIGHTY God in this situation! Personally, I'm glad someone in Jacob's camp valued Dinah and took action.
Jacob was described in earlier chapters as being a quiet man. One thing the Israelites will have to learn later on is to wait for the LORD to guide them into battle.
But it sure appears to me that God was Mighty for Jacob in this battle over Dinah's attack. I'm glad.
It struck me that when God is involved the worst relationship(s) can be reconciled and this one only took one person willing to be humble and forgiving. He was so afraid but kept going forward.
ReplyDeleteThanking Him that His Grace is still alive and active today!!
You are so right Deborah (Twinkle). You would think if you were raped, your Dad and Mom would be the first ones to STAND for your immense harm. It was not right with God and it is not right that Jacob was silent. In my own rape, there was silence and I have had to work through that second kind of betrayal. No one ever acknowledged my rape---it was let go. There's a beautiful verse in Isaiah how God will take care of it one day. I leave it with HIM for He so came through for me. Amazing how horrendous things can be going on inside of Jacob yet a Pursuing God is drawing him to Himself. Same with me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, friends, for your prayers for my family and your comforting words. We're all doing well. My grandfather was 85 and had been doing poorly for quite awhile, so it wasn't a surprise. Thankfully, everyone in my immediate family is a believer. We just don't know where Grandad stood with the Lord, although we asked many times.
ReplyDeleteI've really appreciated Larry Crabb's thoughts on Genesis, particularly on Jacob. "Read the story of Jacob and take heart: I can transform anyone into the likeness of My Son. But the process is never easy or short. It took nearly 150 years filled with terrible family problems to change Jacob into Israel, into a man who learned to trust Me in the struggles of his life. But I got the job done. I always do."
It's so helpful to read through these stories as it really does look like our lives. We believe God for great things some times, and at other times, we take matters into our own hands. Sometimes our responses to difficult situations are godly; other times, they aren't.
All I'm sure of is that I am ohsograteful that God has a plan and He will see it through to completion. I just pray that I will continue to walk with Him in trust and obedience and to filter all of my natural responses through Him. It's so tempting to take matters into my own hands, you know??
Don't y'all just love The Message Bible? I find it so easy to read and I'm on the edge of my seat!
ReplyDeleteBeverly.
I have found in my life that some things that hurt us so very badly are covered over. We don't get the justice. Sometimes we don't get the respect or thanks that we should get. And I firmly believe that it is NOT an accident. I believe that some things are placed in a special place in heaven, where God is going to really brag on those who overcame great tragedy and moved forward to serve Christ in spite of that tragedy. AND HE WILL RECEIVE THE GLORY!!
I am reminded of Beth Moore and the abuse she suffered. And the injustice you experienced, too.
One day, I can just see it now, God is going to reveal the Golden Rewards to those who never received ANY KIND OF REWARD here on earth for what they endured.
He keeps it treasured for HIM to reward...all HIS.
That is HIS Glory! And we dare not ever touch HIS Glory or share in it. He works all things out for good.
But let me just tell you, too, that I have never forgotten reading on your blog about the tragedy of your attack. It burned into my soul. And if it hurt me that bad, I can just imagine the anger it kindled in El-Elohe-Israel.
I am so sorry for what you had to experience. But I am so glad that you are who you are. It sharpened something in you, as painful as it was, and God has received Glory from it I truly believe.
Thank you Deborah for your heartfelt words! They mean much to me this night! If you only knew...
ReplyDeletePraying for you still Cici as your family mourns the loss of your grandad. I think I may be the only person in this blog circle who knows Cici. Allow me to introduce you to someone you already love for she has a huge humble heart for HIM! Cici has lived through a lot and found faith in Him as an adult in her 30's or so. Her conversion was truly HIM pulling her out of the heap. And HE stood her straight up. She loves HIM so; she honors HIM so; and she lives well! Always about advancing His Kingdom! She's been through a lot recently and when you go through "stuff" it reveals what's really inside of you and it's a very genuine Cici, a very beautiful God! Nothing measures our maturity as closely as how we handle the relationships that mean so much. She adores her husband and two babies and she is such a delight and honor to be around! We're Austin friends forever! Love you Lots Cici! So that's my intro to Cici to all of you that I adore! Meet someone just like you! A follower full of faith and a healthy dose of reality! See you tomorrow...
Cici...what beautiful words Bev has used to describe you! I'm so glad you are here with us...
ReplyDeleteBev, misery does put us with our face in the dirt. Our enemies plow our backs with deep furrows. But Christ pulls us up to take our rightful place of respect, and then He takes our place. By His stripes we are healed.
I'm mulling over the words of your hearts on this pivotal place in God's Story this evening. You each have been transformed so beautifully, most likely, because of the problems and difficulties you've faced, by the God who loves you so completely.
ReplyDeleteHere in our story, God has a seemingly nonredeemable man in Jacob, a broken family over a terrible wrong--His chosen family who could destroy each other over a terrible wrong, and an abused girl whom God made sure was rescued. Success all hinged on God, not the deeds of man, thankfully.
I love what Larry Crabb said about our failures. "He's (Jacob) a good picture of how I change people, slowly, through problems in their lives and failures on their part and an infinite amount of patience and grace on My part. Read the story of Jacob and take heart: I can transform anyone into the likeness of My Son."