22nd April: Genesis 32:22-32
At
the place called Peniel, Jacob 'saw God face to face' (30). We see 'the
glory of God in the face of Christ' (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jacob wrestled
with God and became an overcomer (28). Christ wrestled with the powers
of evil, and has won a mighty victory for us. When He cried out from the
Cross, 'It is finished' (John 19:30), this was not an admission of
defeat. It was the declaration of victory - the victory has been won,
the victory is complete. 'Thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ' (1 Corinthians 15:57). For Jacob,
crossing the Jabbok involved a spiritual 'crossing over'. Jacob became
Israel, a new man (28). After he had been 'touched' by God, Jacob was
'limping' (31-32). This was a reminder of his own weakness. His true
strength was in the Lord. Wait on the Lord, and renew your strength
(Isaiah 40:31).
23rd April: Genesis 33:1-20
From
Jacob's meeting with God, we come to his meeting with Esau. Before we
start thinking of this as a big 'come down', we should note Jacob's word
to Esau: 'truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God' (10).
Jacob is describing his meeting with Esau in terms of his encounter with
God at Peniel: 'I have seen God face to face (32:30). Before we dismiss
Jacob's words as 'a bit over the top', we should remember Jesus' words:
'as you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me'
(Matthew 25:40). We are not to choose between loving God and loving our
neighbour. We are to love both (Matthew 22:37-38). We honour God. We are
to honour other people. The two go together - reverence for God our
Creator and respect for people, created in God's image (1 John 4:20-21).
24th April: Genesis 34:1-31
This
chapter is about sin - the name of God is not even mentioned! We might
well say of this chapter: 'the less said the better'. We should,
however, notice that Jacob is still turning out to be a big
disappointment. Despite all Jacob's potential (28:15-17,20-22;
32:28-30), there is still, in him, a great deal of self and not very
much of the Lord. We see this in verse 30: 'You have brought trouble on me by making me odious...my numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my
household'. Where is God in all this? It seems that Jacob has become so
preoccupied with himself and his own interests that he has forgotten
all about God. Amazingly, the next chapter begins, 'God said to Jacob,
"Arise..."'. God was still calling him to higher things. What love! God
doesn't give up on us. He keeps on calling us back to Himself.
25th April: Genesis 35:1-15
'God appeared to Jacob again
...and blessed him' (9). The Lord's blessing does not come only once.
Again and again, He blesses His people, leading us on to a closer walk
with Him. God knows what we have been - 'Your name is Jacob' (10). He
knows how often we have failed Him, yet still, He loves us. Still, He
holds out before us a new and better future - 'Israel shall be your
name' (10). God is inviting us to enter into a future of fruitfulness
(11): 'I choose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit
and that you fruit should abide' (John 15:16). Special mention is made
of 'the place where God had spoken with him' - 'Bethel' (the house of
God) (15). We cannot expect to be fruitful witnesses if we are not
faithful worshippers. Listen for God's Word. Take His Word with you -
and share it with others.
26th April: Genesis 35:16-36:43
Two
prisoners looked out from the same cell. One saw the sunshine and the
other saw mud! - two ways of looking at every situation: 'Benoni' (son
of my sorrow), 'Benjamin' (son of the right hand) (35:18). Spot the
missing name in chapter 36? - God. Many never think of God (Psalm 10:4).
Esau's hardness of heart was more than personal. It has continued for
generations - 'two nations...two peoples...' (25:23). He has 'spiritual'
descendants too - God's Word warns us: 'See to it that no one fail to
obtain the grace of God...like Esau' (Hebrews 12:15-17). Salvation does
not come to us because of our good works (Romans 9:10-13). Every attempt
to save ourselves meets with the divine condemnation (Malachi 1:1-4;
Romans 3:19-20). Thank God for your own salvation. Never feel superior
because of it. Pray that hard hearts will be brought to Christ (1
Timothy 1: 12-17; Romans 1:16).
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