The sun was rising above Jacob as he crossed over from Peniel, limping due to his wounded thigh. Genesis 32:31
Millions of court cases, costing billions of dollars are filed every year. It’s common for legal fees to exceed the value of the amount at stake. The cost of conflict represents drainage and discomfort. Our current judicial system operates on an Aristotelian logic of winners and losers. However, our practitioners of law have become very advanced in ways of impeding resolution, extending the process so that only the strong survive. For those who persevere, their victory is almost always a moral one.
Jacob was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He came from a good family and grew up "in church". He heard countless times about their encounters with God. Yet, Jacob was a trickster. He could not be trusted. He had a calling on his life but his ways were not God's ways. All of that would change in one encounter. Jacob was alone one night and wrestled with "a man" until daybreak. The conflict raged on and it looked as if Jacob was winning. The man hit Jacob and dislocated his hip. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Like a thug, he was going to try to force the blessing.
This is not about winners and losers. This is about change. You don't need God to bless your already messed up life. You need a new life. God changed Jacob's name to Israel, blessed him and when the sun rose Jacob limped away a changed man. God's process will make you God's person. Never trust anyone without a limp. Yeah, we hear all that talk. Talk is cheap. Let me see you walk.
Prayer:
Father, change me and then bless me. I'm not longer wrestling against you. From this point forward, I am leaning on you. May the world see my new walk, In Jesus Name, Amen.
Go Deeper?
Genesis 31-33; Psalm 1; Hosea 10:11; Luke 14:27-33; John 3:3-7; Galatians 1:11-24
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