Good Morning ! It's Monday which means it is time for us to share our insights into this weeks reading. Can you believe we have almost finished a month's reading?! Again, if you would like to join our group of 23 men and women in reading through the Bible this year please head on over to Bev's at Keep on Believing and sign up!
I will comment on Genesis 32:22, Jacob wrestling God. It prompted me to think of all the times I have struggled with God over a situation. We all do. Certain times we go our own way and do our own thing because we get tired of waiting on God. We struggle with control issues.
We struggle with trust , do we trust man , or God? Maybe in His Word? Do we struggle with obeying God's commands? Do we struggle to believe God's word? Do we struggle with God's calling on our lives? God, I know what you have called me to do but I think you can get someone better than me. We also have countless struggles with man/woman. There are marital, job, financial, health, children struggles that we all face. The thing that I love is that we can take ALL of this to God and tell Him the truth of what is on our hearts, what we are having trouble with and He has the answers for us. We find our help and deliverance in Him.
Jacob did. He was on the threshold of seeing God restore his relationship with Esau. Jacob was full of fear because of the things he did against his brother but also the last words he heard before he left home, leave quickly, your brother is going to kill you.
We can't run from our problems or issues in life. They always catch up with us one way or another and God wants us to deal with our struggles with Him. It is the only healthy way. We might as well struggle the thing out with God and follow His directions, His will.
Obviously God had worked on Esau's heart. He had already forgiven his brother in his heart. He met Jacob with a hug, embrace! When he saw his brother he ran to him. Reminded me of the father running to his prodigal son in Luke 15.
In Chapter 33 , verse 9, we read that God restored what had been taken from Esau. He said, "I already have plenty my brother. Keep what you have for yourself! Jacob tried to offer Esau gifts but that was not needed. God is a God of restoration in our lives. He restored everything back to Job, Jacob and Esau and He will do it for us. What has the enemy taken from you? What has been stolen from you? God knows and has already worked out a plan for restoration just as He did for Jacob and Esau.
At the end of chapter 33 , vs. 18, after Jacob had left Paddam-Aram he arrived safely in te city of Shechem in Caanan. He built an altar and called it El Elohe Israel- or Mighty God of Israel.
After wrestling with God all night , God changed Jacob's name to Israel. I love that Jacob felt no condemantion but received forgiveness that God offered and he took to his new name.
Again, he built an altar and called it El Elohe Israel or Mighty God of Israel or Mighty God of Patty, or Bev, Angie, Annie, Sharon etc... we can put our name there. He has delivered and rescued us and one day we will arrive safely to our destination to spend eternity with Him!!
Monday, January 28, 2008
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5 comments:
Great post. Im enjoying being able to read what you all are gleaning from the reading. Alot of what you see, is what He says to me too. It's great that He speaks differently to each one of us, and yet the same....thanks for sharing...We all do struggle at times with Him and we do need to quit striving and rest in Him...
I love to read your reflections on the readings. I am touched by how He personalizes it for each of us. As you said, we can claim Jacob's recognition: He is the Mighty God of Israel (Patty, Annie, 'nise, Jean, Angie, Fran, ...US)Beautiful post about our most amazing Lord. Thank you Patty. Much blessing, annie
Wow Patty,
I am so glad that you wrote about Jacob wrestling with God...really great insight here.
I like how you brought out that the struggle isn't always about "negative" things...it can be struggling with the spacious life that God wants to give us but we fear reaching out and walking into that new country.
I was a bit surprised that I had "forgotten" about the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau...how easy just to remember the wrongs done...I am really glad to have my memory refreshed and see God do yet another amazing work.
Thank you and may you have a joyous week,
Helen
Patty, it is so true that if we try to ignore or run away from our issues/problems they will catch up with us and even though it may be really hard we have to turn and face with with God's help and we will provide at just the right time. The fact that He Will Provide has been showing up (to me) all over the place! I love how He speaks.
I love to read your take on the scriptures, bless you.
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