Genesis Week 23 - Wrestle

Jacob has prayed and sought God’s help. He has planned and sought to appease Esau with gifts. He has protected his family and separated himself from them. He’s done all he knows to do to deal with the problem at hand. And God’s response to Jacob? He wrestles with him all night long as tho they are equally matched, and then with a mere touch, God clobbers him!1 What in the world!?! God prepares Jacob to meet Esau by maiming him? Jacob will walk with a limp for the rest of his life from this encounter with the Living God, but that is not all that happens here. God asks Jacob some poignant questions that get to the core of his identity. Jacob may be meeting Esau with a limp yes, but he is also meeting Esau with a new understanding. God has begun the process of healing Jacob’s inner wounds and he begins to relate more honestly with his brother. He still falls short of full honesty with Esau and full obedience to God’s command to return to Bethel and his family will pay dearly for it. (Gen 34) But He is changing. As you read be watching for these indicators of transformation and what brings them about.

Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 32:22-Genesis 33