Have you ever wronged a person?
Have you ever intentionally made a decision that you knew would hurt someone that you love? I am ashamed to say it, but I have. Have you ever stole something? Have you ever taken something that was not yours? I am ashamed to say it, but this is something that I have done. Have you ever been convicted by the Holy Spirit? Have you ever had to wrestle with God? I am thankful to say it - I have been corrected by God. That is why my life chapter is Hebrews 12. Genesis 32 tells the story of Jacob returning to Canaan, after 20 years of living in bondage to his uncle Laban; after 20 years of being separated from his mom and his dad, and from Esau - his fraternal twin. In Genesis Chapter 27, Jacob deceived Esau and took his blessing from God. The blessing that was delivered through Isaac, Jacob and Esau's dad. In his old age, Isaac said to Jacob, “May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be Lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.” Genesis 27:29 Esau was super mad! He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Genesis 27:36 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given to him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” Genesis 27:41 And when Esau asked his father if he had reserved any blessing for him, Isaac said, “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.” Genesis 27:39-40 What do you think Isaac meant? If I had to guess, I think Isaac meant that the descendants of Esau would grow tired of Jacob’s blessing and favor - they would become so distraught that they would throw off the yoke of God’s sovereign rule - to bless whomever He chooses. There will come a day when the nations against Zion will rise up and rip the yoke of Jacob’s God off their necks. Their hearts will be full of wickedness. We will see a people not willing to take responsibility for giving away their birthright and for being in a position to lose favor from God. We will see a people who are so hungry that they will choose to trade their birthright for earthly food. As for Jacob’s descendants - the ones who are born with deception in their hearts - they will absolutely wrestle with God. They will not be perfect. They will have flesh desires and overbearing moms. They will endure hardship, and take on the mobs. But the promise of the Lord will stand. The angel of the Lord will meet them on the road when they are running away from demonic strongholds. God himself will open closed doors - He will provide a way - when they are seeking refuge. The Holy Spirit will give God's children bold attitudes to break free from oppression. God himself will deliver His children from enemy hands - He will enable them when they are ready to face their giants. For some reason, Jacob was traveling through Edom, on his way to Canaan. Edom was south of the Dead Sea, in the southwest region of Jordan. Jacob was coming from Paddam Aram - there was no real reason to have taken such a long and winding road! His journey back to Canaan reminds me of the Israelites going around the same immovable mountain. But we can trust that God had a reason. Jacob needed to come face to face with his demons. He had to face his brother - he need to grow a humble and soft heart! Jacob needed to take responsibility for what he had done. He had to face the consequences of his sin. Just like you and I, Jacob had to wrestle with God. Jacob was not sure what to expect from Esau. In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people. He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.” Jacob prayed to the God of Abraham and Isaac, and asked for refuge. He said. Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ ” Then Jacob selected a gift for his brother Esau: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.” He was willing to give all that he had. Jacob put this extravagant gift in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said, “Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds.” Genesis 32:9-16 Oh, isn’t Jacob smart? He did not give his full gift to Esau all at once! He offered His gift in pieces, reminding Esau that Jacob was coming in love. Jacob had grown a heart of humility. Jacob instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, “Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my Lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’ ” He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: “You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. And be sure to say, “Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’ ” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.” Genesis 32:17-21 I wonder - are you like Jacob, or are you like Esau? Which is the better heart to have - in the long run?
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