On his trip to meet Esau, Jacob wrestled with God one night. He would not let go until God blessed him. God did bless him, but he also touched the socket of his hip and it came out of joint. This time Jacob was finally convinced God was with him and that he will bless him. He even had proof because from that point on he had a limp on his hip.
And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”
And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Genesis 32:28-30
Some of us like Jacob are hardheaded, and we need many proofs. It takes several encounters with God before we are convinced that He is with us, and that He can handle everything without our help. Jacob was a changed man because this time God’s touch was so tangible that he wasn’t going to forget it anymore. The Lord also changed Jacob’s name. He wasn’t going to be known by his past as a deceiver anymore, but he was going to be identified by his future, the nation of Israel coming out of his descendants!
Praise God that when we submit our lives to Jesus, He speaks words of life to us; He declares truth our future. The Lord calls us by what we are becoming not what we used to be in the past.
Years later, Jacob’s own sons deceived him about Joseph and his disappearance. Is it possible that Jacob reaped deception and supplanting by his sons because he sowed those seeds in his relationship with his brother years prior? Sometimes, we like to think that when we repent God takes away all our sins and their consequences. The Lord does remove our sins, but He doesn’t necessarily take away the consequences of our sins. That’s why it’s important not to play with sin because the consequences can go on for years or generations. Praise God that he gave Jacob the opportunity to finally discover the truth about Joseph and be reunited with him before he died.God was faithful to Jacob and fulfilled His promises in his life. Praise God for His goodness and mercy!
Have you been resistant to change in an area of your life despite all His reassurances? What will it take for you to believe the Lord in that particular area? What is the price your willing to pay for doing it your own way? Do you believe God concerning your future? Are you cooperating with the Lord through obedience or are you trying to help Him through your own ingenuity?
Lord, help us to see the error of our ways quickly and turn to you humbly and willingly.
For comment, please email me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com