Laban, Jacob's father-in-law was on his way home....to get back to our story..... and Jacob, too, was on his way home--each going the opposite way. Jacob was very concerned about what Esau, his brother, would have to say--or do --when they would meet again and that problem filled his mind. He decided to send a messenger ahead of the family and goods, instructing him to say, "Your servant, Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and remained there until now. I have cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats, menservants and maidservants. Now, I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes."
When the messengers returned they reported, "We went to your brother Esau and now he is coming to meet you, and 400 men are with him." Jacob began to shake with fear and distress, but divided his people and animals into two groups, thinking, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the other group may escape."
Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my fathers, O Lord who said to me, "Go back to your country and your relatives and I will make you prosper." Lord, I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown me. I had only a staff to carry when I came and now I have become two groups of people and animals. Save me , I pray from the hand of my brother, Esau, for I am afraid he will attack me and mine. But, you have said, "I will surely make you prosper and make my descendants like the sand in the sea, which cannot be counted."
Jacob and his group spent the night in this place, Jacob in a worried sleep. The following day, he selected hundreds of goats, sheep, and donkeys--both males and females--for a gift an advanced team would give to Esau from him. He hoped his gift would give him favor. He instructed the leader, "When my brother, Esau, meets you, tell him, "These gifts are from your brother, Jacob, who is coming behind us." And Jacob spent the night, once again, in his camp.
That night, when Jacob's wives, maidservants and manservants, and his eleven sons crossed the ford of the Jabbok River, Jacob stayed in the old camp. He also had sent his possessions, but now, left alone, and still shaking from fear of his brother, a man came to him and wrestled with him until daylight came. When the man saw he could not over-power Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip and wrenched the hip. Then, the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But, Jacob countered, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The man asked, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. And the man then said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God--and with men and have overcome!" Jacob was pleased and called the place of his sleep Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face and yet my life was spared."
The sun rose above him as he left Peniel, and he limped, because of his hip. To this day, the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of an animal's hip, because of Jacob's hip touched by the angel of God.
Study/ Jacob continued the wrestling match all night....just to be blessed. He was persistent in that desire to be blessed. God encourages persistence in all areas of our lives, including the spiritual. Strong character develops as we struggle through life's tough conditions with persistence.
Tomorrow--The brothers finally meet! Esau has every right to be bitter, even to take revenge. Most brothers who have been tricked out of his inheritance might want to have revenge. It isn't surprising that Jacob/Israel is scared to death!
See you tomorrow with the news of this important meeting. Which man do you think will win? Find out tomorrow, or in the Book of Genesis.
Loving you, readers!
Jo INMN
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