Genesis 32: Okay, this is something I can wrap my mind around. Did you see verse 32:24. I used some help in gathering my understanding, but the idea goes like this, since Jacob had struggled all of his life to prevail over Esau and the Laban and now that he was about to return to Canaan, he wrestled with God, he wrestled with his faith, but he prevailed. But, I don't get this, God shows him in the next verse that he has the power to disable him at Will, until Jacob acknowledges that he has been seeking the wrong blessings and that his blessing must come from God. Why would God want to disable any of his children? Maybe, we as parents, engage in this same behavior -- we disable our children from sinning by taking away or not allowing them to go somewhere? Interesting.
Genesis 33: Jeez this Jacob. So, his brother forgives him and even more embraces him. God has confronted him and maybe now we understand why God disables Jacob. God knows that Jacob is not done with his deceitful ways. Here we are told that Jacob is making up excuses for not traveling with his brother and as my Bible commentator points out, "this means trouble."
Genesis 34: And here we see rape and revenge and then from that comes fear. And did you see that in 34:13 - Jacob's son basically says, like father, like son. Well, I must say that this drama is getting a little spicy now. With this nail biter...hang till tomorrow and reflect upon the idea -- have you ever dished out a little more revenge than the underlying malice deserved? Do you think that God sent you a little message about how wrong that was?
Next week's reading plan is posted.
I for one would like to hear/understand more about his "wrestling" with God. Don't we all wrestle with God's place in our lives. Striving to live in knowledge that everything we do receives his blessing?
ReplyDeleteAlso, about how Esau found forgiveness for Jacob. I imagine that is a conversation with God that bears learning.
Definitely a Bible soap opera going on in Genesis 34. Good thing I was a day behind so I don't have to wait to read on!
For DAY 15:
ReplyDeleteWhat a let down. Sad about Rachel. However, now I am even confused about what to call Jacob. Right when I thought things were getting juicy we have to go back and get the full listing of Esau's family tree.
I hope your guide has something interesting to say about 35 and 36.
Job-that is a story of faith and power. Never letting go of our faith no matter what happens. Very simple and very direct. The question of course is why would God let that happen to Job? Just to prove to Satan that he could? I see this happen a lot though. People of faith get tested more than the faithless sometimes.