Wrestling, Reunion & Restoration

Genesis Chapter 30, 31, 32

It is time for Jacob to leave Laban and his employment an take his wives and children and all he has obtained and travel back to Canaan.

- Look at what Laban says in chapter 30 verse 27, he knows by experience that the LORD has blessed him because of Jacob.

- Laban still deals deceptively with Jacob by changing his wages multiply times.

- The LORD tells Jacob it is time to go and return to the land of his fathers and he will be with him. He talks it over with Rachel and Leah and they agree with Jacob.

- They all pack up and are gone three days before Laban is aware of what has happened.

- GOD speaks to Laban in a dream and warns him not to speak anything good or bad to Jacob because of this.

- Laban and his people catch up to Jacob and family and he asks Jacob why he left in secret and took his daughters and grandkids and did not even allow him to say goodbye. Jacob recounts Laban’s treatment of him and his deception of wages and how he was treated.

Look and both Jacob’s and Laban’s conversation in these things when referring to GOD. Chapter 31 verse 42, Jacob says unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac had been with him and God rebuked Laban in his dream concerning Jacob.

At no point does Jacob say my God. Laban answers him by saying the daughters are his, the grand children are his, the cattle and everything you see that Jacob now has, is his. Yet Laban already testified that it was by GOD’s hand that Laban was blessed by Jacob.

How quickly I forget too, that everything I have I owe to GOD. I might have done the work like Jacob, but it is only by GOD’s enabling and working behind the scenes that I can live, move, and work, period.

 In setting up their stone pillar of remembrance look what Laban says

The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor their father judge between us, God is not described as their god, but is invited to act as a judge between them.

Chapter 32

- Jacob meets the angels (messengers of GOD)

- Jacob sends his own messengers to his brother Esau, checking to see how he will be received by Esau and whether his brother is still mad at him. The messengers tell him that Esau and 400 hundred of his men are on their way to meet him and Jacob is afraid and distressed.

- Jacob pleads for God’s protection and reminds God of his promises that he made to Jacob. I find this ironic and humorous.

- Jacob sends a huge present of livestock ahead to Esau hoping to appease him.

- Jacob sends his family away and is alone for the night and wrestles with a man who changes his name, renames Jacob to Israel. Does this sound reminiscent to what happened to Abram, Abraham, Sarai, and Sarah? GOD blesses Israel and Jacob says he has seen the face of God; and he called the place Peniel. Could Jacob now Israel have seen the pre-incarnate Christ? Dunno, but from Abraham’s interaction example with GOD before Sodom and Gomorrah I would say that is completely possible.

- Finally, Israel (Jacob) and Esau are reunited, and Esau is no longer angry with him, but is glad to see him.

GOD keeps his promises, blessings, provisions, protection, restoration, GOD is faithful in everything GOD does. GOD’s word never fails and Jesus the word made flesh (GOD with us) never fails and he is in the restoration business too.

Next - Rape and Retribution