“Conversations” is generally the wrong term to use. We like the idea that we can “converse with God.” And we know God conversed with His friend Abraham as well as with Moses. But “conversation” suggests the possibility that God and I should talk about the Dodgers or the weather (clear and sunny today) or the price of beef, all things that might occupy the after-church conversations of our fellowship. And you might be saying, “Yes! That’s the God I have! He’s interested in what I’m interested in.” I know what you’re saying, but here’s an accounting of God’s conversations with Jacob, and I’m telling you, they had a lot deeper “conversations” than what we’re looking for sometimes. Just think about it! Meditate!
· Gen. 28:13-17: Bethel #1. There was a dream, angels ascending and descending. But the topic was: I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. Jacob’s answer to God was: IF you do this you will be my God. He had a lot to learn.
· 31:3: Return to the land of your fathers … I will be with you.
· 31:11-13: Jacob tells his wives about the previous conversation, with a little more detail, when the Angel of God told him: I am the God of Bethel … return to the land of your family.
· 32:9-12: Jacob does the talking here, addressing God as the God of Abraham and Isaac, who has told me to return: I am not worthy … deliver me (from Esau) … for I fear him … for You said, ‘I will surely treat you well.’ Amazing prayer. But God is still somewhat distant to Jacob.
· 32:24-30: Jacob wrestles with the Angel of the LORD. He saw God face to face. And demanded a blessing from the God who promised to care for him.
· 33:20: Jacob’s first altar, as far as we know, to facilitate his relationship with God.
· 35:1: Arise, go up to Bethel … make an altar there to God who appeared to you when you fled from Esau.
· 35:9-12: Though Jacob had been back in the land for a time, this is God’s welcome back conversation: I am God Almighty (El Shaddai) … be fruitful and multiply. It is a new start, where the previous name change becomes the rule of life.
· 46:1-4: On the way to Egypt Jacob offers sacrifices. He still addresses God as the God of Isaac (v1) as does the LORD (v3). God assures him that the promises of the covenant will still be at work in Egypt. I will go down with you to Egypt.
The conversations involve fundamental issues. You may want to share “your day” with God, but just remember that He will want to relate “your day” to His will for you, which includes His promises and imperatives and issues of Christlikeness. He is concerned with our “perfection,” fighting the good fight, finishing the race well, keeping the faith!
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