I love beyond measure Genesis 32:1 that says: "Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him." And, Oh! Jacob's response: “This is God's camp!” And then, Jacob rides to welcome estranged Esau with gifts fitting for a king. But, his betrayed brother, Esau, is coming to meet Jacob with 400 men. Jacob just descended from the top of the world to the depths of despair cause of a number: 400. Isn't the God of the camp bigger than 400? It happens to me all the time. I'll get an e-mail, or a perceived rebuke and I'm all over it---not in a good way. Jacob may be distressed but he did something beautiful: He divided his camp into two to take care of his people---for this potential danger was in response to Jacob not them. And he prayed believing God would do him good. Genesis 32:9. And he went to his Maker who holds the daunting power to hold back 400. And Jacob wrestled with God. And God touched this broken messed up life. And the rest of the story moves with such sadness as Jacob's daughter was "used" by men while Jacob, now Israel, remains silent. Even great men of God lapse back and forth into sin. Even in the midst of Good. Where was Israel? Where am I?
COME BOLDLY; Timeless Prayers
Oh! God of Abraham and Isaac, we are not worthy of the least of all the deeds of Your Steadfast Love, of Your Faithfulness shown. Thank you for doing us good, no matter if we see 400 in our face or four. Please deliver us from those who don't want to have anything to do with us. And I say that with tears streaming down. I hope they run to us someday like Esau. Our arms are open wide. We want to see Your Face, O God!
PHOTO: Free Christ Images photo credit. "Constantinople." Oh! To be touched by God and know it!
As the reunion between Esau and Jacob unfold, it gives me hope that a rift between my precious nieces and their mother will be mended soon. Today's reading reminded me, He knows the pain family rifts being and He is the healer and mender of families.
ReplyDeleteFather, I ask You in the Mighty Name of Jesus to touch my relatives and to minister to them and bring wholeness in Christ Jesus to the relationships.
Father, I stand in agreement with Annette's prayer. Praying for all of our families.The enemy is doing his dead level best to keep us all stirred up and turned against each other, IF at all possible. May we stand in the gap for those families who are hurting so.
DeleteYes, Amen. Standing in the gap for our families, for peace, for no longer striving against one another. For your nieces, Annette. For all families in conflict. Amen.
DeletePraying for your sweet nieces.
DeleteWrestling with an Angel.
ReplyDeleteJacob, desperate for a blessing, just like Esau had been, cries out to the angel and won't let go. He needs God and is at the end of his strength.
"Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Gen 32:28
Humbled by the strike of his hip, and victorious because he wrestled with God and prevailed, he lifts his eyes and sees his long lost brother. As is the case often with us: we have this spiritual high and blessing, then are immediately tested in our faith. And Jacob seems to have forgotten and shrinks in fear.
"The shrunken sinew was the secret of victory. - Had it not been shriveled by the angel's touch, Jacob would have continued to resist in the pride of his strength, and would never have clung convulsively to the angel, crying, "I will not let thee go." It was only in that act that he became Israel, the Prince." ~ FB Meyer