Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Friday January 11, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis. Please read, Genesis 31-33. In todays lesson we will read and learn about Laban's jealousy; Jacob fleeing for his life; Jacob wrestling with the Angel of God; his name is changed to Israel; and peace between Jacob and Esau.
The selfish greed of Laban and his sons resulted in a hostile attitude toward Jacob, the servant of God. Laban and his sons eventually became jealous and envious of Jacob's prosperity. They assumed that Jacob had employed unfair manipulation to gain their father's riches. Jacob foresaw the coming conflict and seeked the Lord in prayer to help him with his problem. "And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee." (Genesis 31:1-3). So without giving Laban any notice, Jacob departed, taking his family and livestock with him.
After a seven-day pursuit, Laban overtook him and complained about Jacob's conduct. He tried everything, but he was able to make peace with Laban. Meanwhile, Jacob continued toward the land of Canaan as God had said to return unto the land of thy fathers. But when he discovered that his brother, Esau, was coming to meet him with 400 men, he could see no visible hope of survival for himself and his family. He hastily divided his wives, children, and flocks into two groups, reasoning that if Esau should come upon one camp and destroy it, the remaining camp would escape. In the dark of night, Jacob was then left alone. He earnestly prayed and reminded the Lord that He had said. "And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude." (32:5-12).
We are taught a lesson to learn from Jacob, first we learn what God has said and then remind Him that we are relying on His promises. But most important, Jacob was praying for the future fulfillment of the covenant promise.
Jacob fully depended upon the mercy of God to deliver him and his family from the overwhelming odds of 400 armed men. It was during this time of prayer that God changed Jabob's name to Israel. This profound name literally means "Prince with God" whose descendants cannot be numbered. "And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." (32:24-28). No other person in Hebrew history has received such a distinguished name. Through the centuries, the people of God would be called by his name the Israelites. It is through his son Judah that Jesus the Messiah would be promised.
Jacob's prayer is a blueprint for praying. He was honest and specific with the Lord and claimed God's promise even as he wrestled with the angel. He prayed for deliverance and God answered the prayer of Jacob and sent angels to protect him. As he had been delivered from Laban, he was also delivered from Esau and his 400 men. "And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.....And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee." (33:1-4,8-12).
Oh, how often we have set our heart to do God's will only to discover how weak and insufficient we are. Through Jacob's life we see that God must train us in the school of difficulties and tragedies to develop our faith in Him. We all need to be conscious of His presence and His assurance that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. When we recognize our inability to cope with our problems God begins to provide us with His power and as we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct and protect us on our journey through life.
In today's lesson Jesus Christ is protrayed as the Angel (Messenger) of God Who guides Jacob through safety. The Angel speaks not merely in the Name of God, but as God, leaving no doubt that He is the Lord Jesus in His preincarnate state. I and My Father are One.
Today's Psalm for Thought: (4:8)
"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for this day and the many blessings that you have given me so far today. Lord, the world is full of uncertainties and fears, but I put my trust and faith in You. Lord, watch over me, guide me, and protect me from the struggles and fears that are set before me. I am weak and weary when you are not in my presence, stay with me Lord so I am at peace no matter what I am faced with.....In Jesus' name, I pray......Amen.
Have a great and wondeful day/night and an even greater weekend. TGIF!
God Bless You,
Christina
Need More Inspiration?
Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net
|
|
| Views: 250
Email This to a Friend 
