A Limp, a Humbled Spirit, and a New Name (Gen. 30-33)

Are you completely riveted by Jacob's story?  His is a powerful one--lots of lessons we can take away from the chapters of his life.  In today's readings, we watched as God finally opened Rachel's womb to bear him a son, Jacob flee from Laban and return to the promised land, Jacob wrestling with God and receiving a new name, and then the patriarch humbly coming to his brother Esau for reconciliation.  What a section full of beauty!

Genesis 30 began with Rachel being envious of her sister Leah (that was probably a first--tables turned), and in frustration trying to get Jacob to do something about it.  She's rather dramatic, too.  "Give me children, or I shall die!"  I guess us girls can get that way when we are jealous or bitter.  Not a good or godly place for a woman to be.

Jacob naturally gets angry with her and points out that only God can give or not give children.  So, she gives her maidservant to him to bear some children for her.  That seems to work, so Leah takes the challenge and does the same.  Pretty soon we learn how one man can have 12 sons.

1. I love verse 22.  What does it say? 
2. What does Laban recognize about Jacob in verse 27?
3. What are God's instructions to Jacob in Gen. 31:3, 13?
4. What really foolish sin does Rachel commit in Gen. 31:19?  Why do you think she did this, since she seemed to believe in the one true God?

When Laban catches up to Jacob, he tries to paint Jacob as the one in the wrong and himself as the good guy.  Remember, Laban does not only worship God, but the gods of his land, too.  Yet he recognizes that Jacob's God has blessed him on Jacob's behalf.  When I read his words in Gen. 31:26-28, all I can think is, "Yea, right."  But what Laban has witnessed of the power of Jacob's God, and the dream he had of God speaking to him, have put some fear of the LORD into him, thankfully.

1. Notice what Jacob calls God in Gen. 31:42:  "If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the __________________________ had not been on my side...."  What a powerful name!  Jacob seems to be intent on putting the fear of God into Laban's heart!  What did he tell Laban God had done to him in his dream?
2. Notice verse 53 also.  What does Laban call God?  Wait a minute...there's a different name in there than what we are used to!  See if you can go back and remember who Nahor was...and why Laban would include his name here (hint:  Genesis 11).

In chapter 32, we come to a huge turning point in Jacob's life and the history of God's chosen people.  This is evident right away with verse 1.

1. What happened in verse 1?  Can you even imagine what that experience must have been like?  I think we would have responded as he did in verse 2.
2. Take special note of how Jacob refers to himself over and over in this chapter and the next when it comes to encountering his brother, Esau, whom he cheated out of the firstborn blessing and took advantage of to get the firstborn birthright (i.e. not a very humble heart towards his brother in his younger years).  What does his heart condition seem to be now?  Find the words he uses regarding himself and Esau in verses 4, 5, 10, 18, 20.  (There's more in the next chapter, but stay here for now.)

Next, in Gen. 32:22-32, we come to a very climactic event in Jacob's life and the nation that will come from him.  Notice the first five words of verse 24.  This is key.  I can't even begin to emphasize the importance of having time alone so that God can meet you and take you to a new place in your journey with Him.  This is HARD for women to do with all of the demands on our time.  That is exactly why it is absolutely so crucial!

I'm going to speak from very personal experience here.  I have a lot of "Mary" in me (if you've studied Mary and Martha, you get this), but when I am in "mom mode" I turn very much into a "Martha"--which goes against my natural personality and desires.  But something about raising children, managing a home and homeschooling can turn me into Martha lickity-split.  Yuck.  I hate that (although we read about a wonderful faith and relationship she had with Jesus as well...and somebody had to prepare the food for the Lord to eat!).

But I can very closely relate to the psalmist in Psalm 42:1-2:  "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?" (emphasis mine)  There is truly nothing I long for more when I wake up than my time with Jesus (and a good cup of coffee to help me wake up at 5am...but He's still #1).  Sometimes, however, I hear a pitter-patter down the hallway that tells me my longing might be delayed.  "When can I go and meet with you, Lord?"

I could sit and write like this about God's Word for hours, too, because I love His Word more than life itself.  I love sharing His Word and seeing others get excited about all the treasures to be found in it!

Well, back in 2004, I had been seeking God's will for my life because of some unrest in my soul.  I knew He was trying to tell me something, but I was having a hard time discerning what it was.  Then one night I couldn't sleep.  It was the middle of the night, and everyone was asleep, so I decided to take advantage of the quiet and go spend some time with God and His Word.  I had no idea I was about to "wrestle with God" most of the night.

I prayed earnestly, read eagerly, and sought the Lord's guidance, listening with all my might and hoping to hear an answer.  Tears flowed as I prayed and listened.  Prayed and listened.  Then God led me to open my Bible to His Word to me at that moment in that circumstance, and I no longer wondered--I KNEW.  As God changed Jacob's name to Israel after his wrestling experience that led him to cry, "Do not let me go until you bless me!", so God changed my entire world with this Scripture:

At the Potter’s House (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

 ¹ This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
 ⁵ Then the word of the LORD came to me: ⁶ “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.  (emphasis mine)

I knew exactly what God was telling me.  It was as if He had changed my name, just like He did Jacob.  He was ready to shape me into a new vessel for His purposes--and I needed to be very pliable and ready for change.  My whole focus in life changed from that point on.  I left my career behind, trusting God to provide as He used me to do His work.  And He has been incredibly faithful.  He always is!

What I want to leave you with as you read over chapter 33, Jacob's encounter with his brother Esau, is this.  Jacob was a completely different man now than the last time he saw his brother.  It was not so much all the wives, children, flocks, herds, servants and possessions that made him different.  What made him different was a humbled spirit.  Time walking with the Lord will do that to a person.

Maturity in our faith doesn't happen over night.  It is a process.  Sanctification is a process.  We must be willing to go the marathon of faith, not just a sprint to the finish line.  Jacob had been through a marathon with God.  His time serving Laban had changed him from a bratty younger brother wanting all the best in life, to a mature patriarch ready to lead God's people.  Sometimes the best thing that can happen to us is to not get what we want.  God does A LOT in the waiting.  Jacob believed in God's promises to his grandfather and his father, and now to him.  The "Fear of Isaac" was His God, and Jacob was a willing servant.

During that wrestling match, something else happened.  In addition to a new name, Jacob was also given a blow to the hip.

• What was he doing, according to Gen. 32:31, as he went to meet Esau?

Picture the scene.  Envoys with gifts to appease his brother, servants with humble words for Esau, and now here comes his younger brother, limping. 

The beauty of chapter 33 is the reconciliation that happens between these two brothers.  That's what our God is all about.  That's why He sent His Son, to reconcile us to Himself.  But it takes a broken spirit and a contrite heart...and sometimes a limp...to get us there.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
   a broken and contrite heart,
   O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)