Not looking forward to that.

Genesis 32

This day was bound to happen. Both Esau and Jacob were going to have to run into each other eventually. This was a day that Jacob was afraid of because he knew that Esau wanted to kill him (Gen. 27:42). Have you ever been in a situation that you just hoped you would never have to be in or run into someone because it would be awkward or you did not like them?  Jacob knew he was coming close to where Esau lived and he told his messengers to go to Esau and tell him that his servant (notice Jacob did not say brother) is here. The messengers responded by saying, he is coming to meet you but he is with 400 men. Just like any man in that situation would be somewhat scared, Jacob was terrified.  He then said well if he is coming for war lets not make it so everyone has to suffer and he split his party up into two groups. 

Jacob gets it or at least we think verse 9-12

Instead of Jacob trying to think of some great deceptive plan like in the past we see Jacob doing something that we all should do. In the time a being afraid he went to the Lord.  He prayed to God and asked him to stick to his promise that he mentioned in the last chapter. Finally even though he was afraid, he went to the Lord. We need to go to the Lord if we are ever afraid or do not think we can do anything in this life. 

Jacob wrestles with God- verses 22-32

This passage is somewhat a well-known passage that people talk about. Here we see that Jacob arose in the middle of the night because he was ready to flee town again. This man who prayed to God for his deliverance is now doubting that. In verse 24 says, “A man wrestled with Jacob until the breaking of day (or morning).” The man touched Jacob’s hip and Jacob’s hip was out of socket. Jacob wrestled with this man which it turns out that it was God in flesh, Christ. He wrestled because he wanted a blessing and God wrestled him because He wanted Jacob to trust and have faith. Jacob wanted the assurance of this promise so he was not letting go until that happened. It was God, who could have easily said, I am done with your mere man, but instead he let it happen. The reminder was Jacob’s hip  and as this was a physical reminder that God would bless him, sometimes God gives us certain things so we can trust him. He is faithful to not give us more than we can handle (1st Corinthians 10:13).  God has a plan for us and sometimes he does wrestle with us because we want to do our own thing. God could have easily won in this match but I picture a father who could easily beat his son when they play wrestle submits that power so his son can fight back. He was allowing Jacob to prove himself. Do you wrestle with what God wants with you? Do you cling to the promises of the Bible? Be encouraged God has never broken his promise. When reading this I am just amazed about how little faith Jacob had but more amazed about God’s love upon him and yet God’s love is on me and you. I am worse than Jacob because of my sin, but yet God loves me.