The Story of God: Jacob

Jacob’s life was marked by insecurity, deception, conflict, and fear.  

It was in one of his most fearful moments, that he came face to face with God.

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone…  

Genesis 32:22-24

We may see God work in public but we will hear Him speak in private

…and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”  Genesis 32:24-26

Sometimes the sign of God’s favor is a scar

The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.  Genesis 32:27-29

Jacob had to wrestle with God before he found peace with man

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.  Genesis 32:30-32

I can run in fear or limp in freedom.  The choice is mine.