Genesis 32:13-34:31 ~ Matthew 11:7-30 ~ Psalm 14:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:19-20
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Old Testament – Chapter 32 closes out with Jacob in a wrestling match! With God? Or an angel? Or God in the form of an angel? Or Jesus preincarnate? Or Michael the archangel? Biblical commentaries offer a few different views on just who Jacob was wrestling with. Clearly, God ordained whomever was wrestling with Jacob and I do think it could have been God himself in an angelic form. It was obviously not God himself in all of his glory – because He would have whooped Jacob in a wrestling match! :) We do see the quick & fierce power of whom Jacob was wrestling in verse 25 when "he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket." Please do let me know your thoughts on who Jacob was wrestling this night in the Comments section below?
This painting above from 1855 by Gustave Dore of Jacob wrestling with the angel is one of my favorites! I think it says so much about our faith journey at various stages. I don't know about you, but there are times when I have wrestled with God over aspects of my faith. It happens at various stages and seasons – sometimes unexpectedly. And I think it is okay to enter into these wrestling matches as long as we ultimately realize that God is in control and we are not. God is going to win the wrestling match. We will not. But, sometimes the wrestling match – the struggle – is something we need to go through to move forward in our faith. Sometimes we need to wrestle with God before we enter the Promised Land, as was the case with Jacob returning to Canaan with his family in our readings in Genesis this week coming up. Below is the French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix's "Jacob Wrestling the Angel" from the year 1861:
This is what I love about the chapters of Genesis that we are entering into with our readings now – we read about imperfect humans, not so unlike us, trying to make sense of their lives and their relationships with God. Sound like anyone you know? 🙂 In this early part of the Bible we are shown a God who is willing to wrestle with us, if we need to wrestle. A God who gives us dreams that end up saving a family that will soon become a nation that will save the world. A God who moves us into places and lands and situations to where we need to be to fulfill His perfect will. And in the midst of all of this – we read about imperfect humans that make mistakes. And God still can work through those mistakes and redeem mankind. This is incredible narrative in our readings coming up this next week in Genesis! Below is Rembrandt's "Jacob's Struggle with the Angel" from the year 1659: (can you tell by all the paintings I'm posting up here that I'm fascinated by this wrestling match… 🙂
Chapter 32 verse 28 is an incredibly important verse: ""Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."" This is interesting to know! Israel means "God struggles" or "one who struggles with God." It is also interesting I think to see that God gives people new names at times in the Bible, and the names are reflective of their new lives with God. Abram becomes Abraham. Sarai becomes Sarah. Jacob becomes Israel. Simon becomes Peter. Okay, no more wrestling images… :) Below is stained glass artwork from the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy of the angel blessing Jacob:
Today's Genesis chapter 32 starts off with Jacob preparing presents for Esau. Overall, I thought this was pretty smart. I suppose in some ways you could look at all this as bribery… :) But, I guess I thought Jacob was demonstrating some good business / political principles here. This is something that I do struggle with at times in my own life – a balance of utilizing good business principles versus relying completely on God. I suppose you could argue that Jacob should have simply relied on God to prepare the way for Jacob's meeting with Esau. And this would be a good argument – Esau had become wealthy over the years himself, and seemed to have forgiven Jacob before they met up here again. Though, if you were in Jacob's shoes, think about how you would have had no way of knowing this… and think about the last time you saw your brother 20 years earlier and how that ended… I do think that while clearly our reliance should be on God and His work and providence first and foremost, I believe God also wants us to be actively partnering with him. So, I think after we first pray to God about a situation, we should also do the work that we are called to do by God for the situation as well. This is where I think good business / political principles can come into play – as long as they are clearly aligned with the will of God. Again – a fine line to walk, and a line that can only be blessed by the Holy Spirit. We cannot walk this line on our own power or smarts. Do you pray to God to show you the work He wants you to do in your life? Do you also ask God to show you the work to be done in various situations that arise in your life? Do you enjoy working with God?
In Genesis chapter 34 Jacob and Esau meet again! I found verses 5 through 7 interesting. Jacob presents his concubines and sons first – then Leah and sons – and then Rachel and Joseph. I read a commentary that he was keeping his favorite wife and son back, as the last presentation to Esau – just in case anything should go wrong with Esau and the introductions of his family… Meaning, if any violence erupted – Rachel and Joseph would hopefully be removed from it. Below is an image of Esau and Jacob meeting in verse 4: "Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him. Both of them were in tears." (interesting thought on this picture below – at a quick glance it almost looks like Esau and Jacob are wrestling! Like all of my images of Jacob & the angel above. :) But they're embracing. Or, well, perhaps I'm secretly a World Wrestling Federation fan and it's all coming out in today's post… 🙂
In verse 14 of this chapter we see Jacob likely being deceitful again: "So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir." He did not follow Esau and meet him at Seir, as we will see in the next chapter. And commentaries suggest Jacob never intended to go to Seir. Below is a pretty good map showing you where some events in this chapter took place: Peniel, where Jacob wrestled with God – Shechem in chapter 34 – and Seir is basically where you see Edom on the map, just south of the Promised Land.
Genesis chapter 34 is a chapter where we see a lot of violence… It is interesting to note that the name of God ends chapter 33 and begins chapter 35, but is completely absent from this chapter! The NIV Study Bible has this note about this chapter: "Jacob is now confronted in the promised land with the danger of being absorbed by the native Canaanites (verses 9 & 16), and then with the threat of their hostility after his sons' vengeful act (verse 30). These were dangers Israel constantly faced from the peoples around them – either absorption or hostility, both of which are perpetual threats to God's people." As there is so much going on in this chapter, I highly encourage you to spend a few minutes with Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org for his commentary on Genesis chapter 34 – surf down to about mid-page at this link for ch. 34. Below is a 13th century French miniature painting of Simeon and Levi taking Dinah from Shechem:
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 32 titled "How to Win with God and Men" is at this link and commentary on chapter 33 titled "Time to Eat Crow" is at this link.
New Testament – Matthew chapter 11 opens up with Jesus teaching about the importance of John the Baptist's ministry and the transitioning from the old covenant to the new covenant, which can be seen in verse 13: "For before John came, all the teachings of the Scriptures looked forward to this present time." Basically, this could be rephrased that all of the Old Testament was prophesying about the coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven. Do you believe this to be true about the Old Testament?
Verse 20 is a convicting one! "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God." This is something for each of us to really examine ourselves on. Have we heard Jesus' teachings? Do we believe in his miracles? And in light of these things – have we turned from our sins? And have we turned to God?
Today we read Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 through 30, which are amazing verses for each of us to consider, particularly if we are struggling with the burden of sin or the burden of worry or the burden of regrets (and the list could go on – you can fill in the blank for your life): "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Is there something in your life that you are carrying on your own that is weighing you down? Do you want relief and rest from this thing that you are carrying? Will you give it over to Jesus? Will you seek rest for your soul in Jesus? Do you believe that Jesus can give you rest? Will you accept Jesus' offer of rest this very day?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 11 titled "The Offer of Spiritual Rest" is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 14 could be seen at first glance as a discouraging Psalm for us as we look at verse 3: "But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!" I think it is important to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse (particularly if we ever start thinking we're "good" and others around us are not…). But also I think it's good to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth. Jesus was perfect. And through His resurrection we are called toward greater holiness and ultimately perfect goodness once we meet Jesus face to face in heaven. Jesus gives us the hope spoken of in the closing of this Psalm in verse 7: "Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice." Do you recognize the salvation that has come to us? Are you shouting for joy for this salvation? Are you rejoicing!?
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 3 verses 19 & 20 are so truthful. If you look at the amazing way in which nature works, I don't see how you cannot believe in God. Could all of this majesty around us be just random chance? Do you believe as verse 19 teaches us: "By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens"? Do you believe in intelligent design?
Worship God: Psalm 14 along with our readings in Matthew today (and even Proverbs 3:19) reminded me of the fantastic worship song "Alpha and Omega" performed by Israel Houghton and New Breed in this video:
Do you know Alpha and Omega? Click here to meet Him!
Please join me in memorizing 2 verses of Scripture today:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NIV
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Let's talk about my fascination with wrestling in today's post… :) What is your take on Jacob wrestling with the angel and then being blessed by the angel? Should Jacob have not wrestled / struggled with the angel / God? Should we in our lives today not wrestle / struggle with God? Or should we wrestle with matters of faith sometimes? As long as we know God will win the wrestling match – is it okay for us to enter into a wrestling match with God or no? Is there a faith-journey wrestling match in your past that you'd be willing to share with others? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
8 responses to “January 16th One Year Bible Readings”
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
…What is your take on Jacob wrestling with the angel and then being blessed by the angel? Should Jacob have not wrestled / struggled with the angel / God? Should we in our lives today not wrestle / struggle with God? Or should we wrestle with matters of faith sometimes? As long as we know God will win the wrestling match – is it okay for us to enter into a wrestling match with God or no? Is there a faith-journey wrestling match in your past that you’d be willing to share with others?
This reminds me of a saying I once heard: “ your arms are too short to box with God.” The same applies to wrestling with God. Jacob seemed to hold his own with God but only because God went easy on Him. God always wins and no mortal man can contend with God unless God allows him to do so for a reason. God would not have been there if He didn’t want to let Jacob wrestle with Him. Obviously Jacob did the right thing to wrestle with Him because afterward he was blessed. I see it as figurative of God testing the strength of our faith by perhaps allowing us to struggle in our lives until we learn to surrender to Him. If we overcome or prevail we will be blessed. There is also the negative aspect of wrestling with God and that is going against His will and resisting the Spirit. I can’t think of anything specific offhand where I can say that I wrestled with God but I definitely have had struggles involving faith and obedience to God throughout my pilgrimage in this world. I have also heard this passage concerning Jacob’s wrestling match with God used as an illustration of persistent prayer.
GENESIS 32:13-34:31
The man whom Jacob wrestled with, I believe, was another one of several pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament period for Jacob said, “ I have seen God face to face” ( 32:30 ).
By now Jacob knew that he had wronged Esau his brother and also did wrong in deceiving his father Isaac. Jacob bowing before his brother Esau “seven times” ( 33:3 ) reminds me of what Jesus also said about forgiveness:
“ Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee SEVEN TIMES in a day, and SEVEN TIMES in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
– Luke 17:3-4 ( KJV )
MATTHEW 11:7-30
An example of contradictions that unbelievers often display among themselves in their rejection of Christ are also seen here. They condemned John the Baptist for fasting while condemning Jesus for eating and drinking ( vv. 18-19 ). They accused both of being possessed by Devils ( 10:25; 11:18 ).
Verses 22-24 seems to indicate that there will be degrees of punishment meted out to unbelieving, unrepentant sinners on Judgment Day according to the amount of light that they had rejected. The greater the light that was rejected the more they will be held accountable.
PSALM 14:1-7
Could God’s view of atheists be any plainer? “THE FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no God…” ( v.1 )
The depravity of the human spiritual condition is also laid out plainly here ( v.2-3 ). One of the reasons is Bible illiteracy and lack of prayer: “ they have NO KNOWLEDGE…and CALL NOT UPON THE LORD “ ( v.4 ).
PROVERBS 3:19-20
The excellency of God’s wisdom is seen in all creation. That all these things with their order, design, complexity and governed by universal laws of physics just came into being by random chance defies even human logic and yet multitudes continue to embrace false science and the humanistic reasonings about the origin of the universe.
All of the fight left me as I thought about Jesus and worshiped with “Alpha and Omega”
Hello Mike and Everyone,
I used to be fascinated by the incident of Jacob and the wrestling match too. I struggled with the Lord for a number of years before I came to believe in Him and know Him. I spent these years struggling to find fulfillment through the world instead of through Him.
This morning was the first time I noticed how Esau invites Jacob to travel along with him and Jacob twists things (yet again) so they are traveling separate. Jacob didn’t intend to meet him at Seir.
In addition, my commentary pointed out that Jacob promised the Lord many years ago that he would establish a house in Bethel:
“Twenty years earlier, when God had appeared to him at Bethel, Jacob had vowed that the Lord would be his God, that he would give a tenth of his wealth to the Lord, and that he would establish Bethel as God’s house (Gen_28:20-22). Now, instead of returning to Bethel, he settles thirty miles away in the fertile area of Shechem, probably for the sake of his livestock. (Shechem represents the world.) God does not speak directly to him until several years later, when He calls on Jacob to fulfill his vow (chap. 35). In the meantime, the tragic events of chapter 34 take place.” -Believer’s Bible Commentary
Despite his encounter at Peniel, it seems like Jacob is still very much Jacob. And his sons take matters into their own hands–just like their daddy has modeled for them over the years. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…
Wrestling Opponet
No one has seen God, God is Spirit,….
If it is claimed in OT that God was seen, then for the Bible to be true:
1)It was not the Father – see above
2)It was not the Holy Spirit – always in background and works internally.
3)It must have been Jesus coming to earth in pre-incarnate form as man or angel. Afterall Jesus IS God.
Particularly when you see THE angel of the Lord I believe it is Jesus.
Keep a notepage and when The angel of the Lord or a man shows up who the OT character claims was God – make a list of the things said or done by the heavenly visitor. I think you will see only God can make the claims or do the things without claiming authority from God done in the story.
http://www.carm.org/misc/plurality.htm
Gen 32
Jacob is stll a mixed bag. He called on the Lord in prayer for the first time but it is for protection not direction. Jacob is still scheming.
Instead of trusting in the Lord, Jacob gathers together waves of gifts to send Esau and sends them out to him thinking this will pacify Esau and make him easier to deal with in upcoming meeting.
Jacob is not only scheming – he is a coward. Jacob places all his family and possessions on across the stream (Jabbok). He is not protecting them – that is the side that Esau is coming from to meet Jacob. Jacob is on the other side and can try and escape if Esau is after Jacob.
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Dependance on God
Jacob just wants God to make Esau go away or fix the problem. God doesn’t work that way. By making Jacob a cripple, Jacob can’t run away from or fight Esau. He must face Esau and be totally dependant on God.
In the wrestling match God is the aggressor. Jacob is not laying hold of God to gain something from Him. God is laying hold of Jacob to gain something from Jacob – the end of his self-reliance.
We all and Jacob himself thought the problem was out there (Laban, Esau) – but the problem is not out there but in US. It is the powerful sinful nature that is in each one of us that dominates our lives.
Why did God allow the match to go on all night? Wrestling with an equal opponet is exhausting. Try it – after a few minutes you will be exhausted. This went on all night to show Jacob how strong his self-will was – his dependance on self. The flesh dies hard 🙂
All of us and Jacob never CLING to the Lord and ask for blessing until the last ounce of self-dependance is out of us. Jacob is at the point when his hip is dislocated.
God’s response to the blessing request – tell me your name Jacob. God knew Jacob’s name He was getting Jacob to admit to his nature. Tell me who you are. By answering Jacob realizes he is what his name means “deceiver/schemer”.
God gives Jacob a new name. In OT only God can rename someone. Israel can also be correctly translated as “God prevails” And He always does prevail 🙂
I beleive God refuses to give His name, because Jacob was angling for something and wanted it in his backpocket for future use. So God refused, blessed Jacob (only God can bless), and left. The session is over when God speaks and has last word – not man.
Jacob is now going to face Esau more powerful in God’s strength and his own weakness (did not Paul say the same thing 2Cr12:9), than his own scheming self-reliance.
Gen 33
Still a Mixed Bag
Like Jacob – Christians are broken before the Lord when they accept Christ. Like Jacob – Christians still have to contend with the flesh when walking with God. We too are a mixed bag of faith and self. The goal should be to advance through reliance on God to a better Christian walk – but there will be setbacks. And so to Jacob.
Jacob goes back to scheming: Going to meet Esau he puts favorites in back and most expendable in fron of group.
[Mixed bag: After this “Jacob” is used 45 times in Genesis, and “Israel” 23 times. Probably reflecting the mixed bag of faith and self in Jacob/Israel.]
Jacob overdoes flowery greeting to appease Esau. Jacob bows 7 times something reserved for kings. Esau is honest – he calls Jacob – “my brother”.
The gifts were nice but overboard. Jacob never admits his wrongs to Esau nor ask for forgiveness.
Jacob lies to Esau – probably still fearful and says he will follow Esau, but in fact heads off in a different direction.
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Faith in the Mixed Bag
Jacob by faith did change some – He went out first before his band to meet Esau. The night before Jacob was ready to run.
Jacob proclaimed God’s grace in his life.
Jacob is like all of us Christians – He is attempting to follow the Lord, but at the same time was not obeying the Lord completely.
Gen 34
This chapter in all its sordidness is probably meant to warn God’s people about assimilation into the world. If the goal of the Bible was to make God’s people look good – then this chapter would have been left out.
[If satan can get God’s people to act as bad or worse than those who do not know Christ – the world shrugs off the gospel.]
Jacob still feared Esau (apparently) for he did not fulfill his vow to the Lord of returning to Bethel. Instead he went to Succoth (outside the land) and eventually to Shecem which was in Canaan. Jacob could justify this to the Lord because it was in the land, so he was obeying. But it was not where the Lord wanted Jacob and some tough stuff follows.
If inter-marriage had happened eventually God’s people (line through Jacob) would have been wiped out.
Here Jacob returns to passivity just as he did when Rachel and Leah were battling over children. Jacob does not stop Dinah from going on unsupervised date (probably Leah’s child was not very close to Jacob and perhaps she just told mother.) Jacob is silent upon hearing of the rape, let’s sons do the talking with king and son, and it seems that he would have allowed the marriage even though it would be to a pagan. Circumcision does not make one a believer.
Jacob does rebuke the sons for their revenge but it seems more out of fear of retaliation than moral stance. (notice all the “me’s and I’s” in verse 30).
The murders and looting were wrong. God WOULD command the Israelites to wipe out the Canaanites, but He had not done that here. No one in this chapter consulted God. The leaders, Simeon and Levi, would pay a price for this action later in Genesis.
The murders and looting would not have happened had Jacob gone to Bethel. The rape would not have happened had Jacob not settled near Shecem. Jacob paid a price for disobeying God. And it all happened in the course of everyday family life. Christian parents should take note.
Matthew 11
The methods do not matter. For the world it does not matter for they will always find fault. Preach one way and they will mock, go 180 degrees the other way and the will mock that also – there is no convincing those that are not seeking.
vs 19. I like the KJV better
“But wisdom is justified of her children.”
Wisdom comes from God, and it does not matter how it is presented, the children of God (believers and those that will be believers) will get it no matter the method.
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Unrepentant Cities
These towns of Israel are under greater condemnation for being indifferent to God in their midst than pagan cities of old who were warned before judgment – but did not have God in their midst.
Why?
They are the people of God (Israel), and they cannot see God in their midst. Preaching the Gospel, and performing signs and wonders to affirm the authority of the one who spoke (Jesus) – the cities were indifferent.
Individual people believed, but the cities as a whole did not respond. The cities are no more, and the general populace will pay on the day of judgment for non-believers.
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v.25 It is the Father’s revealed will that He reveals to those who are open and able to be taught (children). The wise and learned who think they know it is not revealed to until they humble themselves as like children above.
Vs.27 God (Jesus) chooses whom to reveal the Father. It starts with God, not us. What can we do – be in the state of “poor in spirit” – mourn the lost connection with God, be not of self (meek), and thirst for righteousness (God). That is whom Jesus chooses.
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28″Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
When you are broken (like Jacob in wrestling match)and come to Him – He will give you rest.
Rest, to me, is the cessation of work. When we quit trying to do it ourselves – earning our way to heaven. We stop struggling and striving trying to do it our way, and submit and let Christ do the work. The work of salvation and the work of our Christian walk.
The yoke back then was for two oxen. Jesus is asking you to join Him and for two to walk as one (abide in Him and He in you). He will teach you and guide your steps, and you will have rest for your soul. Your essence does not have to struggle with being like God – Jesus (Trinity) will do the work to transform you.
When you submit and let Christ lead the connection – yoke – is easy, and the burden is light because Jesus carries the load when you submit in your Christian walk.
THIS IS NOT SAYING – Life will be easy, bed of roses, prosperous and wonderful. It is saying that as life’s trials (meant for your growth as a Christian) occur it will be easy to deal with said trials with peace, joy, and happiness, when you are hooked up with the Lord.