Day 4 + read segments from Genesis

Genesis 33:1-12
then Back to 28:10-19
then to 32:22-30

What does God say?

Yesterday, we heard that Abraham had a son named Isaac. A generation later, Isaac too had a son named Jacob. Actually, Isaac had twins -- Esau the elder, and Jacob who came out clinging to his heel. In fact, Jacob would spend the rest of his formative years trying to grab hold of all the blessings intended for his older brother.

Our story picks up today after Jacob had stolen his brother’s birthrite (Gen 27).

Now, based on today’s readings, I’ve obviously told this story with the end first -- reconciliation between two brothers. The question is why did I tell it backwards?

Why? Because as powerful and instructive as any glimpse of reconciliation can be, we’re not looking (in this Bible study) to discover what humans do. We’re seeking to discover what God himself teaches and says.

Therefore, I wanted you to see the end of the story (reconciliation) and then go back and consider what might have moved the conniving Jacob to get to that point!

What moved Jacob?

A vision and a wrestling match.

God spoke to Jacob first through a vision. We call what he saw "Jacob’s Ladder." What it really depicted was God’s greatest desire. God desires to create a bridge between heaven and earth!

Some commentators go on to say that this ladder was really a prefiguring of the cross of Christ. The cross, after all, is the great connector between heaven and earth. God’s prophetic hands must not be ignored! Nevertheless, let’s stick with what Jacob knew for the moment: God desires there to be a living connection between heaven and earth.

Jacob’s second glimpse was a wrestling match with God himself!

Again, is this a prefiguring of Christ -- God in human form? But again, let’s stick to what Jacob knew ...

On the morning side of this wrestling match, what was God’s message? "32:28You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, [which means] you have striven with God ... and prevailed."

What does God say to us?

God’s message to us is, "strive and struggle with me." Wrestle with God!

Too often when we face trials, we seem to struggle either:

1. with ourselves and within our own mind, or

2. against God and heaven.

Many of us lack sufficient boldness to struggle with God ... to lay at his feet our anger ... to refuse to release him without an answer to our doubts.

Why do we hesitate?! Piety ... and pride. We’re either afraid to admit our vulnerability or unable to accept God’s love. But trust me -- a guy named after Doubting Thomas -- God is big enough to handle our questions and frustrations. All he wants is for you to wrestle with him until you "32:30see[] God face to face."

Right now in your life, do you feel like you’re seeing God face to face?

What do you need to wrestle with God about? Ask him about? Cry to him about? Shout at him about?

P.S.

If you have difficulty being brutally honest with God, remember Jacob’s ladder.

In the midst of Jacob’s self-induced exile, God set up a symbol (a ladder, a cross) as a bridge. Through it, our Lord was saying, "Friend, you are broken and on the run, but I still desire to forge a living connection between heaven and you."

Wrestle some more ... and when it’s time, thank God through Jesus Christ for the living connection that he has forged between heaven and you!