Day 36 – Jacob & the Wrestling

• Today we see Jacob afraid of something that was about to happen. What was it? Why would Jacob have been so afraid to meet his brother again after all these years?
• What did Jacob do to prepare for the meeting? What sort of things can you learn about Jacob as we read about his thought processes during this time?
• What did Jacob send ahead of him as a present for Esau? What do you think Jacob expected Esau to do?
• Remember on day 34 when I talked about Jacob starting to work out who God was for himself? Today’s passages probably show the culmination of this. It starts with the the prayer he says in Genesis 32:9 when he’s talking to God about his fear of Esau. Does it look like a prayer that is genuine?
• After his preparations for meeting Esau have been completed, something very odd happens in the middle of the night! What is it?
• Who does Jacob say that he wrestled with? Why do you think this happened?
• How did the wrestling match change Jacob’s identity? What did Jacob have to admit to? This is the second of the things that pointed to Jacob’s deepening relationship with God, and is summed up best in verse 28.
• After the wrestling match (it’s a pity Sky Sports wasn’t around at the time so we could watch the repeat), Jacob eventually travels to meet his brother. We read about this in chapter 33. Are the events of this meeting what you expected them to be? Explain how you think God had been working in Esau’s heart over the past few years. Did God answer Jacob’s earlier prayer? Do you think the brothers were ever fully reconciled?
• How is Genesis 33:20 a fulfilment of the promise Jacob made to God at the end of chapter 28? You’ll have to search hard for this answer! The reason I’ve suggested you try and focus in on this is to remind you that all the little verses you might skim over in the passages (and instantly forget!) really do matter. God keeps his promises in all things – the big and the small. The fact that all these little things are prophesied, and then come true, help us to remember that this isn’t just a load of old stories about an irrelevant family. They help to point out a perfect author – God.
• How can we put into practice the message of Hosea 12:6?

   

Today’s passages reminded me that our relationship with God is never static – and that it’s OK to ask questions, and to have periods of uncertainty, as long as we continue to seek Him out and to try each day to live by His Word. You guys are young and have many years, God willing, to deepen your relationship with God, and I’m so thankful that at this early stage in your lives, you are reading the scriptures each day and thinking about them with us. Don’t be worried if you have worries or questions or doubts – but be sure to seek out comforts and answers and encouragements to counter them. In that way, you can be sure that you will “strive with God and still prevail” (Genesis 33:28).

Well now. We’ve spent a few days looking at Abraham, and then a few more with Isaac, and we’re getting on to the end of our time with Jacob (or, as he’s now called, Israel. Man, that’s going to get confusing!).

Tomorrow we’re going to skip ahead a few chapters and hear all about Joseph. You’ll know this story well I’m sure so it’ll be great to read familiar texts but in a way where we can find out new things from this story. Joseph’s story, and that of his eleven brothers and famine that brings them together, will take us all the way up to the end of Genesis. I’m really looking forward to it, and I hope you are too!