UNFINISHED BUSINESS (39 OF 54)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: Genesis 32:1-29, Genesis 32:31-32
This content is part of a series.
Unfinished Business (39 of 54)
Series: The Book of Beginnings
Keith Krell
Genesis 32:1-32
What would you say is the greatest victory in the world? Would you think of some military victory with some famous general, or would you think of D-Day, or when Germany finally surrendered to the Allied Forces? Would you think of the Gulf War? Would you think of a political victory or sporting achievement such as the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl? Maybe you are thinking in terms of a financial success or of an emotional breakthrough? What would you think in terms of personal achievement that would be a great victory?
Everyone enjoys a great victory because everyone wants to be a winner. But very few people want it badly enough to endure the discipline and struggle that is required. In Genesis 32, Jacob experiences the greatest victory of his life. But it occurs in a most unusual fashion. The great schemer comes to the realization that in order to truly win you must lose.
Our story begins in 32:1-2: ''Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him. Jacob said when he saw them, 'This is God's camp.' So he named that place Mahanaim.'' Jacob left Laban and went on to Canaan. He did this in obedience to God's command (see 31:3). As he was traveling along, ''the angels of God met him.'' These angels must have resembled the angels Jacob had seen at Bethel (28:12) for him to have recognized them as angels. They joined Jacob's company of travelers for his protection (cf. Ps 34:7). This is the reason for the name ''Mahanaim'' (i.e., ''double host'' or ''double camp''). These angels were apparently intended to reassure Jacob of God's protective presence.
As a result of this angelic encounter, Jacob becomes aware of his need to make things right with Esau. For 20 years he has lived with the memory of how he cheated his brother-not once, but twice. For 20 years he has wondered whether Esau still plans to kill him (cf. 27:41). For 20 years he has dreamed of ...
Series: The Book of Beginnings
Keith Krell
Genesis 32:1-32
What would you say is the greatest victory in the world? Would you think of some military victory with some famous general, or would you think of D-Day, or when Germany finally surrendered to the Allied Forces? Would you think of the Gulf War? Would you think of a political victory or sporting achievement such as the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl? Maybe you are thinking in terms of a financial success or of an emotional breakthrough? What would you think in terms of personal achievement that would be a great victory?
Everyone enjoys a great victory because everyone wants to be a winner. But very few people want it badly enough to endure the discipline and struggle that is required. In Genesis 32, Jacob experiences the greatest victory of his life. But it occurs in a most unusual fashion. The great schemer comes to the realization that in order to truly win you must lose.
Our story begins in 32:1-2: ''Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him. Jacob said when he saw them, 'This is God's camp.' So he named that place Mahanaim.'' Jacob left Laban and went on to Canaan. He did this in obedience to God's command (see 31:3). As he was traveling along, ''the angels of God met him.'' These angels must have resembled the angels Jacob had seen at Bethel (28:12) for him to have recognized them as angels. They joined Jacob's company of travelers for his protection (cf. Ps 34:7). This is the reason for the name ''Mahanaim'' (i.e., ''double host'' or ''double camp''). These angels were apparently intended to reassure Jacob of God's protective presence.
As a result of this angelic encounter, Jacob becomes aware of his need to make things right with Esau. For 20 years he has lived with the memory of how he cheated his brother-not once, but twice. For 20 years he has wondered whether Esau still plans to kill him (cf. 27:41). For 20 years he has dreamed of ...
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