Preparing for the Worst

Preparing for the Worst

Genesis 33: Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. ² And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. ³ Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

 

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Esau was finally on his way. That dreaded time had finally arrived. Jacob put the women and children in front, then he bowed seven times until he reached his brother.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob was preparing for the worst to happen.
• Jacob had to let go of pride and face his fear of his brother.
• Jacob may have thought putting the women and children up front would soften the blow.

 

Full of fear and writhing in pain from wrestling with JESUS, Jacob humbly approached Esau. The dreaded day had come. Jacob probably thought he was going to die. We all can think of the worst, can’t we? Jacob seemed to try everything he could think of, but had to face Esau on Esau’s terms.

 

Jacob finally humbled himself and bowed down to Esau. He saw Esau’s four hundred men and knew he had no chance of escape. He probably thought about all the wrong he did and could not fathom how a positive outcome could happen. BUT GOD was there.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Jacob’s actions?
• Have you ever gotten into a situation that was out of your control?
• Can you rethink the outcome with GOD’s love added so you can change fear to faith today?

Scary Obedience

Scary Obedience

Genesis 32: ⁹ Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: ¹⁰ I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. ¹¹ Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. ¹² For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ”

 

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Being obedient to GOD, Jacob returned to the land of Isaac and Rebekah. He fled from Laban with wealth given to him by GOD. But now he was headed back home where he had to face Esau, the one he originally stole things from. He prayed with anguish.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob feared for his life so his prayer was as sincere as he could make it.
• Jacob hit rock bottom and realized that it was him who caused the problems he was in.
• Jacob realized he was not worthy of receiving GOD’s mercy, so he reminded GOD of HIS promise.

 

GOD had already told Jacob that HE was going to bless him and make him the father of many nations. This would require he and his children to remain alive. But Jacob had been slick all his life and could only see the mess he was in.

 

He reminded GOD of the promise. It’s not like GOD needed a reminder or that GOD needed to be informed of the situation. GOD knew. But this was the first time Jacob was obedient in facing problems he created. He was terrified, but obedient. All he could do was pray and rely on GOD’s protection.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses this prayer?
• Have you ever decided to follow GOD no matter what the consequences are?
• Is it difficult to leave old ways and to turn to the LORD even if it means facing consequences?

Intercepted

Intercepted

Genesis 32: So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. ² When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

 

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After twenty years, Jacob headed back to the land of Isaac and Rebekah. He would also have to face Esau, knowing he did him wrong by stealing his birthright and his blessing. On the way back, GOD sent angels to meet Jacob.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob was the only one who saw the vision of the angels.
• Jacob was not surprised or scared, rather he was calm because he had experienced a vision from GOD on his way from his parents.
• Jacob may have camped in the land filled with angels, to experience GOD in that moment.

 

For the second time, GOD intercepted Jacob on his journey. HE showed Jacob the camp of the angels, possibly to make him stop and think. This pause may have been introduced so Jacob would not rush into his reentry into the land he left on hostile terms.

 

Jacob may have been replaying his deceitfulness in his mind and needed some reassurance that GOD would be with him. Jacob had grown up beyond the slick behavior and now GOD could use him in a different way. HE showed Jacob the angels, which may have ignited his confidence in the LORD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about what HE showed Jacob?
• Have you ever needed a little assurance from GOD?
• Are you facing a situation that needs your attention and will you ask GOD to meet you along the journey?