LastCall: "growing relationship with God"(Genesis 32:1-12) -Bob Caldwell

Growing Faith  "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. 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.'" -Genesis 32:11-12 As Jacob continues his journey back to his family and the Promised Land, God opens his eyes to see an army of angels He had sent to protect Jacob (v. 1-2). However, when Jacob hears that his brother Esau is headed toward him with an army of 400 men, fear grips his heart. Yet in spite of this overwhelming fear, we see clear evidence of Jacob's  growing relationship with God in the way he deals with it. He first takes steps to save his family and livestock (v. 7-8). But he doesn't stop there. He also prays a prayer that reveals a growing foundation in his knowledge of God – personal, experiential knowledge that becomes the basis of overcoming his fear and facing this threat of being killed by his brother. Jacob has come to believe that the things God had done for his forefathers He could do for him (v. 9). Second, he bases his faith in God on the confidence he has that God will be faithful to His promises. This is clear as Jacob declares twice, the "Lord who said to me" (v. 9 & 12). Third, he bases his faith on God's mercy and truth, not his own worthiness. Jacob had learned that God, in fact, owed him nothing but judgment. Jacob realized that God acts on our behalf solely on the basis of His own divine nature of mercy and grace when He fulfills His promises to us. If we build our own faith on these essential foundational stones, we will be amazed at what God will graciously do to fulfill His promises in our lives.
Genesis 32:1-12  Esau Comes to Meet Jacob 1 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. 3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, "Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: "I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight."'" 6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." 7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. 8 And he said, "If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape." 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.'"
Jacob Prepares To Meet Esau (Verses 1-21) v. 1 Angels of God – These angels were sent to protect Jacob as he, in his obedience to God, returns to Canaan. Angels have been seen as a force of protection in other Biblical accounts (Joshua 5:13-15; 2 Kings 6:16-18; Ps. 91:11; Heb. 1:14). v. 2 Mahanaim – "Machanajim" (Heb.) This means a dual or double camp. Jacob chooses this term because he now realizes it is not only his camp, but also the Lord's angelic host or camp that are traveling together. v. 3 Sent Messengers – Jacob knew that he would need to test the attitude of Esau. His mother had told him 20 years earlier that she would send word to Jacob when Esau's anger had subsided. She had, however, never sent such a message. Edom – Esau had moved away from the region of Canaan most likely because his herds had grown too large to be sustained among his father's large herds. v. 4 Your Servant – Jacob accepts a position of humility before Esau. v. 5 Favor – "Chen" This is a term used to describe a desire for kindness or grace from a superior. v. 6 Four Hundred Men – These would have most likely been servants trained for battle similar to Abraham's (Gen.14:14). Esau did not know what to expect from his brother Jacob who had left years earlier with a reputation as a deceiver. v. 9 Who Said – Jacob bases his expectation of God's intervention on the fact that he was under God's protection. However, to expect God's intervention when we put ourselves in harm's way while going against God's will is, as Jesus said, "to tempt God" (Matt. 4:5-7). v. 10 Not Worthy – Secondly, Jacob seeks God's intervention not based on his own righteousness as if God owes him help, but rather upon God's mercy and promises.

Devotions with Emotion

Michael James Stone

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