Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lani]

Genesis 32:22-31
22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

Jacob [said to the man]. “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:26 (NRSV)

Jacob was a scoundrel; he had tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright, he was a notorious deceiver, and he was often on the run. Faced with an uncertain future, Jacob headed back toward what he thought was imminent danger from the now-powerful brother he had treated badly in the past. Would Esau express the wrath that Jacob deserved?

In chapter 33 of Genesis, we read that God had been at work changing Esau’s heart. But God had also been at work in Jacob, changing Jacob’s character little by little through the struggles Jacob and his family faced. And at this point in the story, Jacob refuses to give up. As Jacob struggles with “a man” – who we find out is actually God – he holds on tight to his faith and demands a blessing. In fact, Jacob’s whole life was a blessing and a vital part of a larger blessing bestowed on Abraham.

We too already have a great blessing, the blessing of salvation through Jesus Christ. Yet many of us have not fully welcomed that blessing by accepting and acknowledging God’s grace. When we do this, we find peace. Nothing in our lives happens apart from God. Response to this realization leads us to focus on others, on how we can share the blessing of faith with them, helping them see the light of Christ.


Prayer:God of peace, we give yo thanks for the blessing of life that unfolds with new surprises each day. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Someone facing a crisis
Thought for the Day: How can we show others Christ’s blessing that we have received?

Story shared by: M. Anderson (PA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/4/11