BULLETIN ARTICLE
22 September 2019
ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
It came time for Jacob to return to Canaan with his family. He had spent 20 years in Paddan Aram in Laban’s household. Jacob together with a large entourage of wives, children, servants and herds, left Paddan Aram, a place of safety and refuge. Going forth, the journey ahead and the destination were fraught with uncertainties. Foremost on Jacob’s mind was his elder twin brother, Esau, and the kind of reception he would get. He had in his youthful days deceived his elder twin brother of his birthright and their father’s blessings. Quite naturally Jacob imagined that Esau could still be very angry and harbored ill-will towards him. Esau had earlier said: “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob” (Genesis 27:41).
Incredible but surely it was the grace of God that Jacob had two divine encounters to prepare him at the start of his journey, one which God prompted him to embark on. In the first encounter, Jacob was met by the angels of God and it affirmed his heart and he declared that “this is the camp of God”. With God, Jacob now could confidently face the future. His great fear of meeting with Esau was replaced by a clear mind in formulating a step-by-step and what-if scenario plan. Trusting the presence of God, he wisely, sensibly and safely devised an approach. Jacob, the deceitful supplanter, had now become a totally different man. The 20 years spent in Laban’s homeland of Paddan Aram had transformed Jacob. Much older and wiser, he showed himself to be humble and conciliatory as well as generous and magnanimous, in preparing to meet Esau. Above all and over this planning, Jacob prayed. He realized his unworthiness, that God was kind and faithful, he had nothing and God prospered him. He was afraid but God could save him.
At the second encounter, Jacob wrestled with God. Through the whole night until day break, Jacob refused to let go of the man of God until he received God’s blessing. He was wrenched on the hip. Now he was physically weakened and in an even more vulnerable state to meet Esau. But more importantly, Jacob was strengthened by faith in God. How often we want to be mentally and physically strong before we get into an important engagement. Instead God may allow unexpected affliction to weaken us so that we have to rely on him totally. Here Jacob was stricken with a debilitating injury, more helpless and defenseless but forced to a faith fully rested on God.
God saw the change in Jacob from one who stole his brother’s birthright and blessings to become one who earnestly wrestled and prevailed with God for his blessings. This struggle turned out to be a gracious gift of restoration. Jacob’s tenacious faith resulted in God’s blessings. It was not an overnight kind of faith. Jacob had proven himself in the past twenty years. He worked hard but was treated unfairly by Laban, yet he was honest and righteous in negotiation. He learned patience to get what he wanted. God is no man’s debtor, he richly rewards those who diligently seek after him.
Finally, when Jacob reached Canaan and settled in the city of Shechem he set up an altar to honour and remember God for who he is, “El Elohe Israel” – Mighty One, the God of Israel.
