THE GOD WHO REDEEMS - JACOB'S STORY
by Roger Thomas
Scripture: Genesis 32:22-29
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The God Who Redeems - Jacob's Story
Prepare to Meet Your God
Roger Thomas
Genesis 32:22-29
"Can a leopard change its spots?" (Jer. 13:23). That's how Jeremiah asked it. We might ask it differently. Can people change? Or are people destined to keep repeating the same mistakes and bad decisions over and over again. Those who knew Jacob thought they knew the answer. Jacob was Jacob. He could never change. For a good part of his life, it looked like they were right.
The great turning point of Jacob's life comes in Genesis 32. Let's read the account. Jacob has every reason to believe that his estranged brother has ordered his death. Esau had sent four hundred armed men to meet Jacob. Jacob organized his family and flocks in preparation for an attack. Darkness has fallen. He is all alone. -Genesis 32:22-31- There is much in this story that raises lots of questions that we will probably never answer. Nonetheless, it was a turning point. After that night, Jacob becomes Israel. Eventually, the entire nation would bear his name. Jacob would forever be known as the man who wrestled with God.
Speaking of wrestling, did you hear the one about the American Olympic wrestler who was scheduled to face the most dreaded Russian wrestler of all time, Ivan the Terrible? The Russian was big, strong, fierce, and the inventor of the infamous "pretzel hold." The Russian won every match by twisting his opponent inside out, upside down and every which way but loose until the other wrestler would concede or be pinned. The American was scared to death. Who wouldn't be? His coach encouraged him by assuring him that there was a doctor waiting nearby.
The day of the big match arrived. The referee blew the whistle and the two headed for one another. The American gave it all he had. For the first period, he mostly ran the other way. In the second period, the American started on top. He hung on for dear life and managed to keep the Russian from getting l ...
Prepare to Meet Your God
Roger Thomas
Genesis 32:22-29
"Can a leopard change its spots?" (Jer. 13:23). That's how Jeremiah asked it. We might ask it differently. Can people change? Or are people destined to keep repeating the same mistakes and bad decisions over and over again. Those who knew Jacob thought they knew the answer. Jacob was Jacob. He could never change. For a good part of his life, it looked like they were right.
The great turning point of Jacob's life comes in Genesis 32. Let's read the account. Jacob has every reason to believe that his estranged brother has ordered his death. Esau had sent four hundred armed men to meet Jacob. Jacob organized his family and flocks in preparation for an attack. Darkness has fallen. He is all alone. -Genesis 32:22-31- There is much in this story that raises lots of questions that we will probably never answer. Nonetheless, it was a turning point. After that night, Jacob becomes Israel. Eventually, the entire nation would bear his name. Jacob would forever be known as the man who wrestled with God.
Speaking of wrestling, did you hear the one about the American Olympic wrestler who was scheduled to face the most dreaded Russian wrestler of all time, Ivan the Terrible? The Russian was big, strong, fierce, and the inventor of the infamous "pretzel hold." The Russian won every match by twisting his opponent inside out, upside down and every which way but loose until the other wrestler would concede or be pinned. The American was scared to death. Who wouldn't be? His coach encouraged him by assuring him that there was a doctor waiting nearby.
The day of the big match arrived. The referee blew the whistle and the two headed for one another. The American gave it all he had. For the first period, he mostly ran the other way. In the second period, the American started on top. He hung on for dear life and managed to keep the Russian from getting l ...
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