Text: Genesis 32:1-32.
Jacob is about to be re-united with his brother, Esau, whom he hadn’t seen in 20 years. When Jacob left home, Esau wanted to kill Jacob (27:41), so Jacob fears for his life and the lives of his family. He sends them all ahead, with gifts, intending to pacify Esau before the meeting. Perhaps Jacob intended to spend the night in prayer to beg God for His mercy.
Indeed, prayer came in a very unexpected way: “A man” (actually, God the eternal Son – Jesus, who frequently made appearances before His birth in Bethlehem), wrestled with Jacob. It was a vivid way of showing Jacob that all his difficulties in life were actually refinement from God.
Just as Daniel’s friends (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego [Dan.3]) were with the Lord in the furnace, even so Jesus is with us, and the difficulties we face are by His plan for our well-being and for His glory. Jacob finally recognized that (v26) – do you?
Meditate on verse 22-28. How are you going to apply verses 24 and 26 to your life?
My heavenly Father, I pray for blessings upon my family, church and country. In the midst of challenges and threatening voices around, I
choose to trust Your blessings that come from above. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.