Genesis 32-33 / Psalm 20

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Genesis 32-33 / Psalm 20

Verses chosen for meditation

Genesis 32:9-12 “And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. 11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. 12 But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”

REFLECT

This was a first for Jacob. To appeal to God in such a manner to deliver him from his brother’s wrath and assumed vengeance. It was a legitimate fear. For Jacob knew that he had done great wrongs to his brother. He had humiliated him on two counts. Cheated a hungry older brother in blood of his birthright and stole his blessings afterwards from an ailing father. 

According to many cultures in this world, what Jacob did was downright despicable. Jacob knew that and held it as a guilty burden ever since he fled to the house of Laban. Perhaps it was after experiencing Laban’s deception on him; that Jacob realized how bad it was to deceive others. 

Yet, through all these experiences, God consistently reminded Jacob that He is with him. This was why in Genesis 32:1, Jacob was led to witness quite literally, that God’s camp of angels was with him to fight his battles. And so perhaps with such an encouragement, Jacob was finally ready to face his inner battle. As a way of spiritual growth, he was finally ready to make restitution for his sins against Esau. And so instead of using his own deceitfulness and strength as he used to; Jacob prayed for God’s deliverance. For the first time as we witness in the biblical account, Jacob:

1. Acknowledged that the Lord is his God

2. Confessed his unworthiness of the bountiful mercy and blessings of God

3. Cried out his need to be delivered by the hands of God

4. Remembered God’s covenant with him

Even though Jacob fell back to deception again in Genesis 33:13-15, Jacob’s prayer for deliverance was a very big first step for the patriarch to learn the courage of surrender. And God did answer his prayer. For Esau's heart was changed and forgave Jacob for all that he had done. 

RELATE

As we read the life of Jacob, we might feel very frustrated with this man. We might even question why God chose him to be the seed of Israel in the first place. He struggled back and forth with his old sin of deceitfulness and we are always on the edge of our seats; wondering if he would just go back to his old days altogether. Yet, if we look at ourselves in the mirror; we might not be faring any better. Or that we might have seen in Jacob, an old self which we managed to discard; but only with the help of God.

Quite often, the troubles we have on our journey with God is the impetuousness of taking things into our own hands. We felt so at home to be in our own skin. Using our own strength to settle problems. Using our own ways to try to get away from problems. Why? Because ultimately, being our own master gives us a sense of control. Nothing wrong with being on top of our lives. But if God is not in the picture holding our hands; everything is wrong with it. 

Yes. God would have none of these if we are to be used to magnify His glory. We cannot be His broken vessels to love in grace and truth; if we choose to use our own methods to resolve issues. Some of these methods sound great and even justified in the eyes of the world. But God would have none of it. Use God’s method or none at all. Cannot have a mix of both. I am thankful to be reminded of this today. I have had many lessons on this and still learning. Go on my knees often. Resist the temptation to do it “my way”. Pray for deliverance and wait patiently for God to do His battle. 

After all, God’s angels had set their camp all around us. We need to wait, journey in faithfulness and be thankful.

REST 

Lord my God, thank you once again for your message of grace. The grace to see what you see and be submitted to your wisdom and strength in all things. Help me therefore to grow in surrender so that I can more and more, live a life of freedom and joy, knowing that your angels had set their camp around me. This I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Jason Phua