Jacob wrestled with God, Genesis 32:24-32
Did you ever get the impression that Jacob was supposed to let God win? In our lives, when it is a tug of war between our will and God's will, shouldn't we let God win?
God left Jacob with a permanent defect as a result of their struggle. I think resisting God will leave us with permanent scars. They are mostly emotional scars. I think it is why people need so much healing and the cause of most addictions, even some sickness. When we resist God it is to our detriment. Do we actually do it ignorantly sometimes?
But it is like breaking a physical rule. If we abuse gravity we can get hurt. There are spiritual rules too, the basis of which is the ten commandments. When we break those we get hurt too.
Even so Jacob seems to have gotten some healing or maturity from his struggle with God. When in the next verses of chapter 33, Jacob meets Esau he goes ahead of his family and comes humbly to Esau. Before he likely would have hung back with Rachel. I think some serious life changing happened when he wrestled with God. This is now confronting his fears like a man rather than hiding or sneaking.
God embraced Jacob. Next we see Esau embracing Jacob. In both cases there is reconciliation.
Jacob came asking Esau for forgiveness, perhaps out of fear but he does it and is forgiven. Is there anyone you need to go and ask forgiveness of today. Don't put it off. Your fears will be lightened.
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