Facing Your Greatest Fear - Genesis Chapters 30 - 33
This week we conclude Jacob’s journey from being a deceiver, running away from his greatest fear, becoming a victim of deception, paying the price, and finally maturing as a leader and returning to face his greatest fear.
Throughout Jacob’s journey, we see that God was faithful to his Word and kept him safe and blessed him despite his many shortcomings. God was very patient and it took Jacob 20 years before he was ready to face his greatest fear. It was time for Jacob to become the leader of his household and separate himself from his father-in-law. He decided to go to his own homeland and face his brother Esau who swore that he would kill him because of what he had done. Although Esau sold his birthright with its many privileges for a pot of stew and was tricked out of the firstborn blessing, God had blessed him as well.
By the time Jacob left for his homeland, he had become very wealthy with livestock, servants, and possessions. Because Laban, his father-in-law, had deceived him many times and cheated him of his wages, Jacob and his family, servants, livestock left in the middle of the night without Laban or his son’s knowledge. They left while Laban was away shearing his sheep. When Laban returned and saw they had left, he and his men pursued after Jacob. It took seven days but he caught up with them. During this time God had given Laban a dream and told him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob, neither good nor bad.” Although Laban could have harmed Jacob, God warned him not to entice him with rewards or threaten him with harm to force him to go back to Laban’s household. It was God’s will for Jacob to go back to his home. After Laban said his goodbyes and blessed his daughters and family, Laban and Jacob made an agreement of peace between their families. Laban returned to his home and Jacob continued on his journey.
God took care of Jacob and now the final challenge was ahead of him. Jacob sent some of his servants to Esau with a message saying that he had flocks, donkeys, oxen, and servants and asked to find favor or grace in Esau’s sight. Then the servants returned to Jacob and reported that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. Instantly Jacob became very afraid and stressed out. He thought about his family and how they may get killed by Esau. Jacob decided to divide his group into two companies so if Esau attacked the front company, the second company could escape and may live.
Jacob then prayed to God for deliverance admitting that he was not worthy of God’s mercies and that he was afraid. In his prayer he reminded God of His promises to keep things well with him and that he would have a great number of descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered. If he and his family are killed there would be no descendants. Jacob then sent his servants with large numbers of camels, goats, rams, and other livestock. They were to meet Esau and tell him that they were gifts from Jacob and that he was behind and will meet him. Jacob had three waves of gifts for Esau. While the gift presentations were done, Jacob was hoping that the gifts would calm his brother and he would spare the lives of his family. He took his wives and children and sent them further back for their protection should anything happen to him.
After Jacob had removed his family, he returned to camp and he was alone. He met a Man and wrestled with Him all night. When the Man saw that He could not get Jacob to concede He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip and caused it to go out of joint. Jacob stopped and knew that he was wrestling with a divine being. It was an angel in the form of a man. In the morning the being said “let me go” but Jacob said, “bless me and I will let you go.” The angel asked, “what is your name?” Jacob replied with his name and the angel said “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
After this experience, Jacob/Israel, knew that he was safe and he approached his brother without fear. He had his wives and children accompany him as well, but they were the last group behind him. As Jacob approached his brother, he bowed himself to the ground seven times. His brother ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and they both wept. Esau’s heart had been changed and he was so happy to meet Jacob’s family. He told Jacob that God had blessed him with plenty and he didn’t need the gifts. Jacob/Israel asked him to take the gifts as a blessing since he had given him grace and as we can observe forgiveness. The brothers were reconciled and both had been blessed by God.
At the end of Jacob’s journey, he was renamed Israel. He is no longer the trickster, the supplanter, the deceiver, but now his name means “one who struggles with God.” Jacob has used his own abilities to get ahead, but when faced with imminent death from his brother, he experiences his brother’s grace and ultimately God’s grace in his life.
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Personal Development Tip of the week:
No matter what you have gone through, as a child of God, don’t rely on yourself and use deceitful actions to accomplish your goals. Trust God in everything and pray before situations become a matter of life and death.
Even when you have messed up, know that you can remind God of His Word and His promises for you and ask for His help and grace as you meet small and great challenges in life. (James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 41:10)
Question for you? What’s one challenge you are faced with in your life right now and how are you using your relationship with God to overcome it?
Prayer for the week
Father God, help me to continue to keep my faith strong in You and everything that you can do in my life. I know you have great plans for me and my family and I believe You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I ask for and think about for my life. I claim right now a victorious day ahead in Jesus name Amen.
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Do you know Jesus?
If you have never asked Jesus to be the leader of your life and forgive you of all your sins, this is the right time to act. Pray this simple prayer and believe it in your heart: “Dear God, Your Word says that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. I want to be saved and have all my sins forgiven, past, present, and future. Forgive me now as I receive Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. You promised me salvation and an abundant life. I believe and receive Your free gift. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me grow stronger in You each day, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.” (John 3:16)
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
Facing Your Greatest Fear