· 32:3: Ah, yes! Laban was yesterday’s problem, and God intervened. Today’s problem is Esau. As soon as Jacob hears Esau is coming he is overcome by fear. Where is the memory and encouragement of God’s works? Ps. 145:5-6: I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. Maybe it’s because of Psalm 62:12: God renders to each one according to their works. Sometimes we do not have such a great appreciation of God’s work yesterday because today we doubt that we are worthy of His mercy. There’s an old gospel song called “I Am No Stranger to Grace.” Jacob was needing to become more familiar with grace. I understand Jacob. I have been Jacob. In this life we do not come to the point of “sinless perfection” but we should become spiritual adults, people who are “familiar” with grace (Heb. 5:12-14).
· 32:4-5: Jacob humbled himself before Esau. Interesting. He wrestled all night with the Angel of the LORD.
· 32:9-12: But then we have Jacob’s finest and truest conversation with God. There is no one else around to hear the prayer or to be impressed by his praying. He is alone with God. Note: 1) I am not worthy. 2) Deliver me. 3) For You said! There is no greater basis for faith than what God has said!
· 32:13-21: This ought not be considered strange, that Jacob expresses great trust in God through prayer, and yet he still sees the path forward as “me and God.” Maybe he has advanced to “God and me.”
· 32:22-32: I believe our interpretation of Jacob’s spiritual life is accurate. God gives Jacob the name “Israel” (he struggles); he is not characterized by rest.
· 33:1: Jacob lifted his eyes. This is a very common phrase in the OT. But it is a profound phrase. Perhaps we will expand on this in the future, but for now, we see that Jacob has ended his night of struggling with God. To “lift your eyes” is to get a view of your immediate circumstances, to see what is around you or facing you. Jacob lifted his eyes and saw Esau and 400 armed men heading his direction. This is the point where our faith in God begins to become real. How we react to what we see is the issue. Go back to 32:12 and what Jacob knew the LORD had said to him: For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ Over the years since that night at Bethel God had not called on Jacob to make plans and do his best for the promise to be fulfilled. More than anything, God worked with and around Jacob’s scheming. We see here that Jacob is still working hard to experience what God said He would do.
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