This chapter is the turning point in Jacob's life. Deffinbaugh has a great sermon on it. It is here that Jacob's prayer's turn from bargaining to pleading humility. He is trying to ensure Esau's good feelings towards himself and his family by sending waves of gifts; he has broken his group into 2 so at least half can survive. He sends him family across the Jordan, and finds himself detained.
Detained and wrestling with an angel. How bizarre is that?! Jacob's attitude towards life and God may be changing, but he is still a stubborn, determined man. He wrestles all night with this angel, refusing to let go until he receives a blessing.
And God honors that determination.
It seems odd (and Deffinbaugh talks about this), that God would be beaten, in a sense by a human, by His own creation. But Jacob's clinging to the angel, even though he was suffering a dislocated hip, even though he could know longer effectively wrestle, is what "overcame" God.
I believe we can overcome God the same way today - when we are unable to fight anymore, unable to help ourselves, and yet cling to God and weep for His blessing still, we will receive it.
And because it goes with this passage, I just have to share this awesomely hilarious illustration:
And because it goes with this passage, I just have to share this awesomely hilarious illustration:
Tomorrow's scripture focus: Genesis 33
1 comment:
Lord, help us to be determined to cling to You no matter what!
(That is a funny illustration!)
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