February 5, 2016 WALKING WITH A LIMP
Genesis 32:31: “Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Peniel, and he was limping on his thigh.”
Jacob had been in conflict with his brother Esau for many years, but in Genesis 32 we find Jacob desiring to be restored to his brother. God had told Jacob to return to his home country, and by doing so, God said that He would prosper him. This account of the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau is an interesting story for sure, but as the story unfolds, we see that this is not just about two brothers in conflict, but is a story about God working out His purposes even in times of conflict. I’m sure God was not pleased with the trickery of Jacob when he stole Easu’s birthright, but the issue God would deal with is the heart of Jacob that was deceitful. Up until this point, Jacob had been in full control of his life-so he thought-planning and scheming to get what he wanted. Before we find ourselves condemning Jacob, let us realize that we too can be guilty of wanting full control of our lives. Jacob was again “conniving” a way to approach his brother as he sought to be reconciled. Jacob and family were in route to see Esau, but at one point, Jacob sent his family on ahead, and while he was alone at night, Jacob had an encounter with God that would change his life forever. After this night, Jacob would no longer be in control. I don’t know if it was God, or Jesus, or an angel of God (I will refer to him as the angel of God) but whichever one it was, they engaged in a wrestling match with Jacob. Obviously no one could wrestle with anyone of these and have a chance to win, but so that Jacob could discover that his strength was not sufficient, God allowed the match to go through the night. Jacob realized that he had met his match. At daybreak, the angel of God simply touched the thigh of Jacob causing Jacob to walk with a limp. It is also interesting to note that the angel of God asked Jacob what his name was-as if he did not know. The name Jacob means “trickster” or “deceiver.” Just for Jacob to speak his name was a confession of his deceptive nature. The angel of God told Jacob that he would no longer be named Jacob, but Israel. The name “Israel” means “ruling with God.” Wow! What a new name to get-from God. All of us at some point have been like Jacob in that our heart was deceptive; seeking to be in full control. The good news for us is that God has the desire and the power to bring about a change of heart for us. In fact, we learn in the New Testament that God does not just patch up our old heart, but gives us a new heart, and this new heart changes our very nature. With this new heart, we are not who we use to be! The new heart that God gives us frees us from having to be in control, it allows us to trust Him for everything, it allows us to think the thoughts and do the things that please Him, and it allows us to have and to enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with Him. Just as Jacob needed an encounter with God, we too need an encounter with God, and when we do encounter Him, we will be humbled in heart as a result of seeing His greatness. Just as it did with Jacob, an encounter with God also causes us to walk with a limp-a limp that comes when we realize that apart from Him, we are nothing. (I heard someone say a long time ago that “we should not trust anyone who did not walk with a limp,”-probably some good advice). Even though God told Jacob to return to his home country, Jacob was still afraid-but he started the journey anyway. God is most pleased when we obey-whether we are afraid or not does not matter. Even though Jacob was a “deceiver” for many years and had made many bad choices, God did not forget him, but confronted him and changed his name. Could it be that we need a name change? God is in the business of giving new names to those who encounter Him.
Ezekiel 36:25-27: “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Genesis 32:31: “Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Peniel, and he was limping on his thigh.”
Jacob had been in conflict with his brother Esau for many years, but in Genesis 32 we find Jacob desiring to be restored to his brother. God had told Jacob to return to his home country, and by doing so, God said that He would prosper him. This account of the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau is an interesting story for sure, but as the story unfolds, we see that this is not just about two brothers in conflict, but is a story about God working out His purposes even in times of conflict. I’m sure God was not pleased with the trickery of Jacob when he stole Easu’s birthright, but the issue God would deal with is the heart of Jacob that was deceitful. Up until this point, Jacob had been in full control of his life-so he thought-planning and scheming to get what he wanted. Before we find ourselves condemning Jacob, let us realize that we too can be guilty of wanting full control of our lives. Jacob was again “conniving” a way to approach his brother as he sought to be reconciled. Jacob and family were in route to see Esau, but at one point, Jacob sent his family on ahead, and while he was alone at night, Jacob had an encounter with God that would change his life forever. After this night, Jacob would no longer be in control. I don’t know if it was God, or Jesus, or an angel of God (I will refer to him as the angel of God) but whichever one it was, they engaged in a wrestling match with Jacob. Obviously no one could wrestle with anyone of these and have a chance to win, but so that Jacob could discover that his strength was not sufficient, God allowed the match to go through the night. Jacob realized that he had met his match. At daybreak, the angel of God simply touched the thigh of Jacob causing Jacob to walk with a limp. It is also interesting to note that the angel of God asked Jacob what his name was-as if he did not know. The name Jacob means “trickster” or “deceiver.” Just for Jacob to speak his name was a confession of his deceptive nature. The angel of God told Jacob that he would no longer be named Jacob, but Israel. The name “Israel” means “ruling with God.” Wow! What a new name to get-from God. All of us at some point have been like Jacob in that our heart was deceptive; seeking to be in full control. The good news for us is that God has the desire and the power to bring about a change of heart for us. In fact, we learn in the New Testament that God does not just patch up our old heart, but gives us a new heart, and this new heart changes our very nature. With this new heart, we are not who we use to be! The new heart that God gives us frees us from having to be in control, it allows us to trust Him for everything, it allows us to think the thoughts and do the things that please Him, and it allows us to have and to enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with Him. Just as Jacob needed an encounter with God, we too need an encounter with God, and when we do encounter Him, we will be humbled in heart as a result of seeing His greatness. Just as it did with Jacob, an encounter with God also causes us to walk with a limp-a limp that comes when we realize that apart from Him, we are nothing. (I heard someone say a long time ago that “we should not trust anyone who did not walk with a limp,”-probably some good advice). Even though God told Jacob to return to his home country, Jacob was still afraid-but he started the journey anyway. God is most pleased when we obey-whether we are afraid or not does not matter. Even though Jacob was a “deceiver” for many years and had made many bad choices, God did not forget him, but confronted him and changed his name. Could it be that we need a name change? God is in the business of giving new names to those who encounter Him.
Ezekiel 36:25-27: “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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