# 310 Complete (7) Humility

The Book of Genesis

Day 310

Ge 33:1 Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.  2 And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.  3 Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Here comes Esau! The moment of truth has arrived and Jacob is still not sure how he is going to be received, but it doesn’t look good as Esau has 400 men with him! So out of prudence and I’m sure a little bit of fear, he divides his children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. 

If we’re not careful, we can miss something here in verse 2. Who is the only child mentioned by name here? It is Joseph, and where is he placed? In the rear, the safest place to be in case there is trouble. This mention of Joseph’s name here should tell us of this child’s favored status in the eyes of Jacob….something that will create great problems with his siblings later on!

Having taken care of that business, he now approaches his brother bowing not once, but 7 times to the ground! When you see that number 7 in Scripture, pay attention, it represents the complete dealings of God with men. (3 the number of God, 4 the number of earth, 3+4 = 7) and consequently, it is often associated with any kind of completeness.

The idea of it’s usage here is that Jacob is approaching Esau in complete humility! It’s like he was saying to Esau, “I am completely sorry for my past wrongs against you, will you completely forgive me?”

Look at Esau’s reaction to this display of humility. Something has happened to his heart since he left camp with 400 men and vengeance on his mind. Instead of rushing at his brother with the sword he alone rushes to his brother with open arms and tears in his eyes as they joyfully reconcile!

How can this be? Who did this work in Esau’s heart? It had to be God! Notice the steps that had to be taken. First of all, Jacob’s heart had to be changed, and that was the real reason for the wrestling match of the previous evening. Jacob was humbled, and that humility carried over into his meeting with Esau.  Oh, beloved, it is so true! God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble!

Is there some reconciliation needed in your life? You may not think so, or you may think it’s impossible, but God knows differently. He is all about reconciliation!  Imitate Jacob! Approach God with complete humility, then approach men with that same kind of humility and watch God’s grace overpower both of you!

# 309 Persist In Prayer!

The Book of Genesis

Day 309

Ge 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.  25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.  26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"  27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."  28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."  29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.  30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."  31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank.

The all night wrestling match coming to a close and the Angel of the Lord says, “Let go of me Jacob!”  But Jacob refuses to let go unless the Angel of the Lord blesses him. The blessing comes in the form of a new name for Jacob, and honestly there is no higher blessing than a new name bestowed on someone by God! Re 3:12 says,  "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”

“Jacob” means “deceiver,” but from now on he is to be known as “Israel.” (The one who has struggled with God and man and prevailed.”) He is now like that overcomer mentioned in Rev 3:12!

The “El” by the way, in Israel is the Hebrew word for “God.” That’s important to know here because Jacob goes on to ask, “I have told you my name, what’s yours?” And the Angel of the Lord responds, “Why do you ask about My name?” In other words, “Pay attention Israel, for in renaming you, I have revealed my name to you, and you will find My name in your name!” You are now in me and I am in you!

Jacob is overwhelmed at this point because he realized whom he was tangling with and so he gives this place a name, he calls it Peniel (Peni El) for he knows he has seen God face to face, and his life is preserved.

Bring on Esau! Bring on the problems of this world! He has prevailed through prayer with God, and God has assured him that he will be preserved! Let there be no doubt in your mind about who Jacob wrestled with on this night. To this day, the Jews traditionally avoid eating the part of an animal that coincided with the area that the Angel of the Lord touched on Jacob. They do this because what God has touched is holy!

Jacob wrestled with God! He persisted in prevailing prayer and was blessed. Salvation, eternal life in heaven, is a monumental struggle between the deceiver (the devil) and the Angel of the Lord, (Jesus)  Mt 11:12 reminds us "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”

When the struggle comes in your own life (and it will) prevail with God! Be the overcomer mentioned in Rev 3:12 and by the grace of God, inherit heaven!

# 308 The Afflictions of God

The Book of Genesis

Day 308

Ge 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.  25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.  26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"  27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."  28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."  29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.  30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."  31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.

Can you imagine the pain of a hip socket out of joint? It must’ve been very excruciating, yet Jacob hung on! The injury was bad enough and long-lasting enough that at sunrise, Jacob limped back across the river. Let this sink in, Jacob was physically hurt by the Angel of the Lord, by God Himself! Sometimes we get this notion that God never inflicts pain on anyone, well, that simply is not true.  

God Can and WILL afflict people if it suits His eternal purpose of good. The problem we have with this arrangement is we tend to over-analyze our afflictions. We start asking questions like, “What have I done that God is punishing me so?” Or worse, we shoot a dagger at the afflicted and say something like, “Well you must’ve sinned.”

If you want to ask a question, let it be something like, “I wonder how God will be glorified in this affliction?”

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him, for whom the Lord love, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Heb 12:5,6)

The words, “chastened and rebuked” here do not necessarily include the idea of physical punishment. They are words that are associated with  training and correction, but the word “scourged” leaves no room for doubt. God flogs every son whom He receives when they need it! The implication here is God afflicts His children only for their own good.

In hindsight, we can see that Jacob needed to understand that God could’ve vanquished him at any moment. Jacob needed to be humbled! It was for his own good as he was about to take on the responsibility of being the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Maybe that’s what we need to learn from our own afflictions as well…..humility and a deeper understanding of God’s all-sufficient grace.

He has a goal, an ultimate plan for you and I. Sometimes that plan is worked out through affliction.  

The pain in your life right now, may be as excruciating as an out of joint hip socket in a wrestling match, bear it my friend, for God will use it and bring it to ultimate good.

# 307 A New Name!

The Book of Genesis

Day 307

Ge 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.  25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.  26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"  27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."  28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

It is God’s good pleasure to be vanquished by the stranglehold of faith. (Luke 12:32)

In your darkest hours, when you are ready to give up on God, remember these words, and hang on!

In Jacob’s case, I really like the phrase, “until the breaking of day.”  It speaks of light eventually breaking forth and shining into his situation, it will break forth in yours as well.  I speak from personal experience, for there are times when I have wrestled with the Holy Spirit and all I have been able to do, (like Jacob) is hang on! I would not let go, because the alternative to faith is no faith, and I don’t ever want to go back to that kind of living again!

These wrestlings are the darkest of times, yet, if we hang on, light will come. Often, at the end of such wrestlings, I am forced to confront my sin. We see the same thing here as the angel of the Lord asks Jacob, “What’s your name?”

Now, c’mon, you and I know that this angel already knows Jacob’s name, he just wants Jacob to speak it and confess it! He says, “My name is Jacob.” In other words, ”My name is deceiver….I am a deceiver.” Do you see the confession here in restating his name?  In our wrestlings with God, we too are often challenged with the same question. “Who am I?” and the answer is, “I am a sinner!”

Upon hearing Jacob’s confession, the angel bestows a new name on him, henceforth he is to be called “Israel,” which literally means, “Prince with God.” The King James says, “For as a prince hast thou power with God and men.”

Look, as we confess our sinfulness, and by God’s grace, prevail in our wrestlings, God bestows a new name on us as well, it is “Christian……follower of Christ,” and  as His follower, we too have power with God and men, for we have a friend in a high place, helping our faith along, namely Jesus Christ, who constantly intercedes on our behalf. 

And let me let you in on a little secret regarding wrestling with God.  The wrestlings will be intense, but when all is said and done, and you look back on them, you will note that it wasn’t you so much hanging on to God as it was Him hanging on to you!

# 3-6 Grappling With God

The Book of Genesis

Day 306

Ge 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.  25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.

Many times, in the Old Testament, we have these events involving physical encounters that are meant to portray spiritual realities! In this case, Jacob physically wrestles with a man whom he later realizes is God Himself!  This event is a great picture of the spiritual wrestling’s that take place in our own lives.  We wrestle with God!

Jesus said in Mt 11:12 "And fro

m the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” The word, “violence,” here carries with it the idea of  something being seized. I don’t need to stretch my imagination very far to work the word “seized” into a wrestling situation. Wrestlers grapple. They seize each other in strategic places in order to gain the upper hand.

What Jesus was saying here, is that from the days of your personal repentance, (the days of John The Baptist,  when you began to think differently about your life and desired to turn away from your way of living and follow God’s way of living, ) you have had and will have wrestling’s with God. Ga 5:17 reminds us of this very truth! “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

Praise God for those times! Though they may be tumultuous, they are proof positive that the Spirit is at work in your life! Often the Spirit will seize us in strategic places  in order for us to learn a spiritual truth. Be aware of that! Be looking for it, and be ready to be corrected by it, for when you “give in” to the Spirit, another part of kingdom living will be “seized” or “grasped”  by you! 

God is a very patient teacher. He does not weary. His desire is to conform us into the image of His Son and every time he wrestles with us and we seize onto Him as Jacob did, God will bless us and do yet another kingdom transformation in our lives!

A blessing awaits you if you do!

# 305 Wrestlings of Faith

The Book of Genesis

Day 305

Ge 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.  25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.

This portion of Scripture has always fascinated me. Jacob is left all alone and a man wrestles with him all night long! Where did this “man” come from? Who is this “man?” Why did he wait until Jacob was all alone? Why did he have to physically wrestle with him, I mean couldn’t he just have sat down with him and talked things over?

When the match was over, we are told who the man is, He is the God incarnate, Jesus Christ! We can gather that by what is said in Ex 33:20, “man shall not see God and live.” When Jacob says that he has “seen God face to face, “ it must be God in the covering of flesh, namely Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way in which we may come face to face with God and live! Jn 14:6 says, “I  am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

This encounter, this wrestling match, between Jesus and Jacob goes on all night! And when the “Angel of the Lord saw that He did not prevail against Jacob, He zapped him  in the hip.

This just doesn’t make any sense! The pre-incarnate Christ wrestles with Jacob all night and can’t whip him? I mean come on, just flicking a finger at his hip, knocks it out of commission? What other kind of damage could He have done?

For some reason, the Angel of the Lord chose not to prevail over Jacob. I like the way one commentary explains it, “It is God’s good pleasure to be vanquished by the stranglehold of faith.”  Now that puts a whole different spin on this wrestling match. This whole scene then is meant to be a picture for us  of the grappling we experience between our flesh and the Spirit of God. It’s a reminder of how powerful our flesh can be in resisting God.

When it comes to faith, let us be like Jacob and not become weary. Let us cling to God and His promises. Even though we may suffer wounds, (as the Apostle Paul did) in the process. Those wounds are sustained only to remind us that in the end God’s grace is sufficient. Don’t let go! Hang on! A blessing awaits you if you do!

# 304 Then Jacob Was Left Alone

The Book of Genesis

Day 304

Ge 32:13 So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother:  14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,  15 thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals.  16 Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, "Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves."  17 And he commanded the first one, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?'  18 "then you shall say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.'"  19 So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, "In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him;  20 "and also say, 'Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.'" For he said, "I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me."  21 So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.  22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.  23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had.  24 Then Jacob was left alone;

Pretty good strategy on Jacob’s part! That old deceiver Jacob is still at it, still in the business of deception.He decides to greet his brother with a show of power. Wave after wave, drove after drove, carefully spaced out to give the impression that Jacob is rich and powerful and somebody you wouldn’t want to mess with! Jacob’s bottom line hope is that he will be accepted  by his brother, that bygones will be bygones and they can dwell in peace.

 Put yourself in Esau’s shoes here. What would you think? If these are JUST Jacob’s GIFTS to him.  he must be a really powerful person! 

After the servants and goods have departed, Jacob then puts some extra distance between Esau and his family, putting them on the other side of the brook, and then he was left alone.

To quote from the classic hymn, “A Mighty Fortress, Jacob has, “let goods and kindred go,” and you know what? With goods and kindred released, this deceiver Jacob, was now in a place where God could do business with him. 

Perhaps this describes your situation today. A financial setback, a lost job, a spouse filing for divorce, or maybe you’ve received some bad medical news. Your life is not turning out the way you planned. Everything you thought you were working for is suddenly stripped away. If you were totally honest with yourself, you’d have to admit that your faith life with God has not been what it should be. In a sense, it had it’s own share of Jacob-like deception. You have not been truly following the Lord and now you find yourself left alone.

Take heart my friend, for Jesus is there in the midst of your broken loneliness, and HE is ready to do business with you, just as He did business with Jacob. The key is to reach that point where it’s just you and God in your prayer closet. God must be first and everything else is secondary.  How did Jesus put it? Mt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

# 303 A.C.T.S. II

The Book of Genesis

Day 303

Ge 32:9 Then Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you':  10 "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.  11 "Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.  12 "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.'"

I want to spend one more day on this prayer of Jacob’s because it is a classic example of the A.C.T.S. method of praying. (Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and Supplication.)

Jacob’s prayer was prompted by fear. Esau was approaching with 400 armed men and he needed help, so he turned to the only One who could help him.

What kind of fearful situation are you facing today? Is it a relational problem? A financial concern? A health concern? A problem brought on by sin? (Yours or someone close to you) Whatever your problem, take it to the Lord wrapped in this basic formula.

Begin by adoring God. Call Him by names that are descriptive of His character as revealed to you. Names like, Almighty, merciful, all knowing, all powerful and so on.

Next humbly admit that you are not worthy. You are a sinner, and at this point confess your sins and receive God’s forgiveness per 1Jo 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Then start thanking Him for the blessings received from Him.

Finally, bring your petitions to Him. State your fears and include reasons from His Word, by which you believe He will answer your prayer! Appeal to the track record and promises found in His Word.  God put them in His Word for such a time as this for you and me, put them to use! You won’t surprise Him or irritate Him with your request, in fact, on the contrary, you will gladden His Father’s heart!

Adore! Confess! Give Thanks! Make Supplication! A.C.T.S.

# 302 A.C.T.S.

The Book of Genesis

Day 302

Ge 32:9 Then Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you':  10 "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.  11 "Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.  12 "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.'"

This is the first recorded petition that Jacob addressed to God and we can learn much from it concerning the “how to’s” of prayer!

He begins his prayer by addressing God as he knows Him. "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you':  This is how Jesus told us to begin our prayers as well. He said, “when you pray say, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  This is addressing God as we know Him, and is a form of praise and adoration.

Jacob then continues his prayer by acknowledging his sinfulness, (“I am not worthy,”) Likewise when we pray, we should confess our sins and our own unworthiness! We should agree with God, that we are sinners and unworthy of His mercy and truth. Ponder His mercy! Ponder the truths that He has revealed to you! Thank Him for the blessings you have received and acknowledge that they came from Him! Jacob recounts how he came to Laban with nothing but a staff in his hand and now has grown to two companies!

After giving thanks, Jacob brings his supplication (his request) “Deliver me, from the hand of my brother Esau.” Then he tells God why he is asking for this, “For I fear him, lest he come and attack me and my family.”

He concludes his prayer by quoting a promise from God, which is really nothing more than giving God a reason to answer his prayer.

This entire prayer can be found in the model of the Lord’s Prayer if you look for it, and it’s also a great example of prayer for our own lives using the A.C.T.S. model. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.) Remember it, and use it as a guide the next time you pray!

# 301 Be Prudent, But Don’t Forget To Pray.

Day 301

Ge 32:3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.  4 And he commanded them, saying, "Speak thus to my lord Esau, 'Thus your servant Jacob says: "I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.  5 "I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight."'"  6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."  7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.  8 And he said, "If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape."  9 Then Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you':

Jacob makes contact with Esau and his message to his brother  can be summed up  this way, “I am your brother Jacob, and I have done quite well for myself since I departed from home.”  I suspect Jacob was trying to gain some respect from his brother here, or maybe even a little false bravado.

At any rate all that went out the window when the messengers returned with the frightening news that Esau was on the way to meet him and he had 400 men!  Let’s face it, you don’t need to bring 400 men with you to say “howdy hoo” to your long lost brother! This is clearly a show of force and Jacob quickly forgets about his encounter with the angels of God!

He became “greatly afraid and distressed!” Let’s look a little closer at these two words in order to get the flavor of what Jacob was feeling. The word afraid here means “terrified.” It’s the same word that was used to describe the feeling of the Israelites when they were trapped at the Red Sea by Pharaoh’s great army.

The word “distressed” carries with it the idea of being pressed in, to be in ever narrowing straights.

This is what Jacob was feeling, and for a moment he did something you or I might do…..he panicked. He became fearful, and you and I ought to know by now where that spirit comes from! “God has not given us a spirit of fear!” (2 Tim 1:7)

Notice the first thing he does as a result of his fear. He uses strategies of the world to deal with it, rather than rely on God. He divides his company. His motive was well intentioned. If harm was to come, by dividing his company, it increases the odds that some may survive. That’s all well and good, but in the midst of our own threatening circumstances, let’s not forget the promises of God! Let’s not opt first for all the worldly solutions, let’s turn to God.

Jacob eventually does this as he turns to God in verse 9. He prays to God AND reminds Him of His promises to deal well with Him.

Trying times? Don’t panic, come to Jesus in prayer with His promises in your heart and on His lips! It’s okay to take prudent measures (within the will of God) but don’t wait to get praying!

# 300 Be A Servant

The Book of Genesis

Day 300

Ge 32:3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.  4 And he commanded them, saying, "Speak thus to my lord Esau, 'Thus your servant Jacob says: "I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.

Strengthened by the presence of an army of angels, Jacob sends messengers to his brother Esau. This, in itself, is a courageous thing to do. In his last contact with Esau, there were threatening’s against his very life! Esau had said, “the days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob>” Jacob could’ve snuck back into the country, but instead, he decides to meet the problem head on. Notice how he decides to meet the problem!

Appeasement is on his mind. He tells his servants to speak to his brother thusly, “Thus your servant Jacob says,”

Did you catch that? “Your servant………..” When you think about that simple statement, it is quite disarming isn’t it? It says, “no matter what has gone on between us, I want you to know, I am at your service.”

Even though Jacob was now the legal heir and the possessor of the birthright, he is willing to be a servant. In like manner, Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and likeness of men. (Phil 2:5-7)

He told His disciples in Lu 22:26,27,  "But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.  27 "For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”

Imagine the disarming that takes place in the hearts of men when they hear and understand that statement from Jesus! If God incarnate can lower Himself to the status of a human being and live among us as a servant, how much more should we embrace His servanthood mentality?

Let us learn the lesson of servanthood and begin to approach others in our church and in our world is such a way that they know we are at their service.

What we have is theirs. What Jesus has freely given to us, let us freely give to them. Who knows, with this attitude of serving others in the name of Jesus we may reconcile them to us, or even more importantly, it might be a huge step in reconciling them to God!

# 299 Angels and the Last Day

Day 299

Ge 32:1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Angels have been around since before the creation of the world and they will be around at the end as well. As I wrap up this brief look at angels and spiritual warfare, I would be remiss. If I didn’t mention some of their coming warfare responsibilities.

One day, Jesus will return, and He will bring His mighty angels with Him. Woe to those who have been bringing persecution and tribulation  to the church when this day occurs!  In flaming fire, these angels will take vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting absence from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. It will be an eternal absence of anything good.  2Th 1:7b-9, “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,  8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”

Jesus told of that Day in Mt 13:41,42, "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,  42 "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus was speaking here on the heels of His parable of wheat and the tares. The tares, if you recall, were weeds that looked just like wheat on the outside, but their DNA tells a different story. They, like the hypocrite, may be able to fool others, but they will not fool the Lord who sees the true heart of man.

The angels, on the last Day, will be given the command to weed the hypocrites out on that Day. Who are these tares? They are of course hypocrites, actors if you will. The Book of Jude describes them as, “grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.  17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:  18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. (Jude 1:16-19)

These will be the final victims of God’s angels. They are the God-mockers, the pretend Christians, the lukewarm who thought their good deeds would save them on the Last Day. But there is only one way to escape. Humbly turn to Jesus. Ask for His mercy, receive His gift of eternal life, and be spared the wrath to come.

# 298 Political Intrigue

The Book of Genesis

Day 298

Ge 32:1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

We’ve been talking about angels the last couple of days and by no means is this meant to be an exhaustive study  on these mighty warriors of God. But I do hope that you have been convinced of the unseen spiritual warfare that takes place around us every day.

We have read of the angel sent to Daniel as an answer to prayer, and how that angel was actually delayed because he was engaged in a battle with the Prince of Persia. (Imagine that! Delayed answer to  an individual’s prayer because of spiritual warfare on the international political front!)

As we wonder where the answers are to our own prayers, perhaps we need to ask ourselves, “Are we pitching in with God’s angels in these battles?” Are we praying in such a way to free them up for other tasks? Are we making supplications, intercessions, and giving thanks for kings and all who are in authority?

Paul urges us to do so in order that we may lead a “quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:2-4)

We talk about political involvement of Christians in our world today. Some say we should stay out of the arena completely, others say just the opposite. I think I stand on very solid biblical ground when I say that we ALL ought to be involved in prayer for the governments of the world! Paul didn’t tell us to pray for one king, he said pray for kings! I think much time is wasted as we get distracted from the work of international intercessory prayer!

Think of the power that you have at the disposal of your bowed knee! You and I have an opportunity to affect history as we intercede on behalf of angels as they take on the forces of darkness who seek to rule the world.

Read the headlines! See where the battles rage that seek to interfere with the spread of the gospel……and pray! 

# 297 The Unseen Battles Around Us

The Book of Genesis

Day 297

Ge 32:1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Jacob, greeted by a host of angels as he returns to his homeland is strengthened and encouraged by their presence. This “army of God,” is ready, willing, and able to war on his behalf! Guess what? They are ready, willing, and able to war on your behalf as well. I don’t have the spiritual vision to tell you where His angels are warring today, but I know they are warring. They are engaged in battle somewhere with the devil and his demons because you can be sure that the devil and his army is out somewhere seeking to thwart the purposes of God.

There are invisible geographical kingdoms in our world that we are not aware of. Recall that episode in the Book of Daniel when he fervently prayed for his people to be restored to their homeland. It took a full three weeks before an angel was able to get to him!

What?

I thought, it was a matter of just snapping one’s fingers and God showing up immediately. Why the delay here in Daniel?

Listen to the words of the angel in Da 10:12,13, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.  13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days;”

There was  an angelic war taking place over some very real geographical turf! This battle had historic significance!

Guess what? Sometimes the universe doesn’t spin around us and our individual needs. God has other important business to tackle! Sometimes answers to our prayers may be delayed because of some vital spiritual battle taking place elsewhere in God’s kingdom!

Notice, though that Daniel’s prayer was heard IMMEDIATELY….from the moment he set his heart (demonstrating that loyal heart that God is seeking that we talked about last time) and humbled himself, his words were heard!  An answer was going to get there just as soon as it could be in line with God’s perfect timing.  Right now though, this battle over Persia was taking precedence over Daniel’s dilemma.

This must’ve been some battle for this angel wasn’t allowed to leave Persia until one of God’s angelic heavyweights, (Michael) relieved him in battle, and even after he finished his business with Daniel, he was to return and fight again against the Prince of Persia.

This whole episode ought to remind us that sometimes our answers to prayer are delayed because God has some other necessary business to take care of on His day planner. Keep that in mind! Keep praying, I’m sure that’s what Daniel did as he waited to hear from the Lord!

# 296 Help Will Be On the Way

The Book of Genesis

Day 296

Help Will Be On the Way 

Ge 32:1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Jacob has been granted the privilege of physically seeing the army of God, a whole host of angels ready to do battle for him. This should be a great source of comfort for him as he heads home, after all, the reason he left in the first place was to escape the wrath of his brother Esau who has sworn to kill him. 

So what made God decide to dispatch his army to come to the aid of Jacob? We aren’t told, but other places in Scripture speak of God coming to the aid of His people. For instance, we read in 2Ch 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. “ This message was given to King Asa shortly after the Lord’s Angels had helped his outnumbered forces defeat the Ethiopians.

Prior to the battle, King Asa had demonstrated loyalty to God as he removed the altars of the foreign gods that had been erected in Judah. He demonstrated reliance on God as he prepared for battle with  the Ethiopians, he prayed, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!" (2 Chr 14:11)

So we see two elements worthy of emulating: (1) humility) and (2) tangible acts of loyalty, but there is a third element, that of seeking and asking. After his victory over the Ethiopians, Asa was told by a prophet:  "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. (2 Chr 15:2)

Need a little angelic help in your life? Then (1) Live a life of loyalty as demonstrated through obedience to His Word. (2) humbly acknowledge your need for His help.  (3) seek Him in prayer. Do these things, believing what God has said in 2 Chr 16:9, and the help that you need is on the way!

# 295 He Shall Give His Angels Charge Over You

The Book of Genesis

Day 295

Ge 32:1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

I want to continue today with this rare privilege granted to Jacob. He visibly saw a host of God’s angels, an angelic army of God!

There are other references and inferences to “God’s army in the Scriptures, let’s look at them today.

There was Joshua as he was preparing for the great battle of Jericho. He was met by the “commander of the army of the Lord.” Although he did not see the entire host, he could be certain that a host was present. (They usually are when a commander shows up.) Joshua would have nothing to fear in Jericho as long as he submitted to the Lord’s battle plan.

In 1 Chron 12, we read of David’s army growing until “it was like the army of God.” The number in his army was given as 350,623 plus the entire tribe of Isacchar. This is not to say that we can approximate the number of God’s angels, but I think we can conclude that God’s army is organized and large.

In 2 Chron 14, we read of Asa, who was not given a visual sighting of the army of God, but was able to witness its power as the army of God struck  the Ethiopian army that numbered 1 million men and 300 chariots! Asa’s army then pursued and mopped up!

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden, Peter took out his sword to defend Him and Jesus said, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father and HE will provide Me with more than 12 legions (36-72 thousand) of angels?”

Then there was the angel that appeared to Daniel. The angel apologized for his delay in reaching Daniel, but he had been tied up in battle with the Prince of Persia. (This again speaks of the existence of armies of spiritual beings engaged in (unseen to the human eye) warfare!

Friend this is spiritual reality. It is taking place every single day, even though we may not see it. Battles are being fought, (and sometimes not fought,)  simply because God’s angels are present, unseen, and at the ready.

Many times they do battle on our behalf because someone prayed. Think about that the next time you set out on your day!  Pray! Ask for the Lord’s protection for you and your loved ones in light of Ps 91:11,12, “ For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.  12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

# 294 Fear Not

The Book of Genesis

Day 294

Ge 32:1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Jacob takes off for home and is met by the angels of God. I wonder what THAT looked like? This time it was not a dream, he actually saw them and said, “This is God’s camp.” The King James reads, “This is God’s host.”

The word “host,” means “encampment or army.” This must’ve been one impressive sight for Jacob and quite a privilege! Not many people get a glimpse into the realities of the unseen spiritual realm. Let me tell you about another similar incident that is recorded in Scripture in 2 Kings, 6.

Elisha’s servant was very concerned because the Syrian army  had sent a “host” of horses and chariots, and they had surrounded the city….it didn’t look good, and he said, “Alas my master, how shall we do?” Elijah answered, “Fear not: “ Ah, there’s those words again, “fear not!!” God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7)

I find it interesting that the phrase here in 1 Kings is followed by a colon punctuation mark. It’s like the Holy Spirit  is telling us to “fear not, and here are some reasons not to fear. Check out His reason for not fearing, his very next words were: “For those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Ha! At this point Elisha’s servant was probably thinking, “Excuse me, but we are totally surrounded here.” But Elisha prays that God would open his servant’s eyes to the spiritual reality taking place in this battle that was about to unfold. And the servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around them and the Syrian army. The Syrian army didn’t know it, but they were surrounded by God’s army, they were in big trouble:

What a “fear removing” privilege to be given such a glimpse.

Well, Jacob was on his way home to face his brother Esau, who at last report wanted to kill him. How reassuring it must’ve been for him to meet up with this army of God along the way.

You or I will likely never be given such an opportunity to physically see the angels around us, but know this as you walk this road of life as a follower of Jesus Christ:  Seen or unseen, they are with us! Speaking of angels in Heb 1:14, we read, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

Fear not brother. Fear not sister. God’s angels will minister to you in your hour of need.

# 293 God Is Witness

The Book of Genesis

Day 293

Ge 31:47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.  48 And Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me this day." Therefore its name was called Galeed,  49 also Mizpah, because he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.  50 "If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us-see, God is witness between you and me!"  51 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.  52 "This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.  53 "The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us." And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.  54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.  55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

I want to spend one more day on what is known as the “Benediction of Mizpah.” Of course one of the main features of the oath taken here is peace between the two parties. Laban and Jacob swore that they would not pass this point to do harm to each other, but another feature of this oath has to do with the daughters of Laban, Leah and Rachel. Laban says, “Don’t afflict my daughters, or take other wives, if you do, God is watching and He will see you from this high place called Mizpah.”

The implication is that if Jacob harms Laban’s daughters in this fashion, God will see and hold him accountable. Have you got that guys?

Let me speak boldly now on behalf of fathers everywhere. If you are a man who has married someone’s daughter, hear the benediction of Mizpah and take it to heart. If you afflict my daughter in any way, (domestic violence, adultery, etc, although no man may see it or be aware of it, GOD IS WITNESS! He sees your every blow, He sees your every act of cheating, He sees every affliction you lay upon the wife of your youth.

If these are issues with you, stop it! Get help! Turn to Jesus, for God’s Word is clear, “Let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.” (Mal 2:15)  And remember, “God is witness.”

# 292 The Mizpah Benediction

The Book of Genesis

Day 292

Ge 31:47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.  48 And Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me this day." Therefore its name was called Galeed,  49 also Mizpah, because he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.  50 "If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us-see, God is witness between you and me!"  51 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.  52 "This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.  53 "The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us." And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.  54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.  55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

Have you ever heard of the Mizpah Benediction? It’s not unusual to hear it intoned by a minister to the congregation at the end of a worship service? It’s a loose quote from Gen 31:49, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.”  Nice sentiment to be sure!  

“How about a piece of jewelry called the Mizpah pendant?  The pendant is usually circular and broken into two pieces with Gen 31:49 inscribed upon it: “May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.”  In the case of the pendant, it’s meant to be the expression of a sentiment between two close friends, siblings, or couples who will be separated and will use this as a prayer for God two watch over them.  Again, nice sentiment.

Both sentiments are worthy prayers, but way out of context in the setting found in our text today: Here, the declaration at Mizpah is an expression of distrust. Laban doesn’t trust Jacob and his relationship with his daughters, and Jacob doesn’t trust Laban because of his track record of deceitful dealings with him.

They have arrived at one of the four highest points in the Promised Land, (as if God needs a high vantage point to see what’s going on in His world) and they both agree that they will have no means to keep an eye on each other to prevent any mischief making so they commend one another to the watchful eye of their God.

Please note the God that Laban swears to, “The God of Abraham,  The God of Nahor (Abraham’s brother, and the God of their father, (Terah) This is not the same God that Jacob swears to because we know this about Terah from  Jos 24:2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods.

Laban, still didn’t get it. Abraham had come to know the one true God, as did his son Isaac, and this is the God to whom Jacob swears! But Laban was still worshiping the gods of Terah!

The difference between gods is an interesting point, but the main thing to remember about this oath is it was not based on friendship as we view the benediction of Mizpah today, rather it was based on a mutual mistrust…..and as we shall see next time, that’s not all bad, because it’s a reminder that we have an all-seeing God. He watches, He knows, and no one on earth is ever going to get away with any misdeeds.