Read: Genesis 32:13-34:31; Matthew 11:7-30; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 3:19-20
Jacob came back home a humble man ready to pay for his wrongdoings. He blessed Esau with two-thirds of his possessions and made peace with him. God brought justice to Esau. The night before meeting with Esau he fought the spiritual battle and won so the next day was just the manifestation. God changed his name from Jacob - supplanter to Israel - he will rule as God.
When Esau and Jacob parted, Jacob went to Succoth and built as house for him selves and booths for his cattle. Succoth means “booths” which would become synonymous with the Feast of Tabernacle or Feast of Booths. It was the feast to show that the Lord makes his house in us.
From there he went to Shechem where he bought his first parcel of land in the promise land to erect an altar to God. He called it El-elohe which means Mighty God.
Next we have a story about the justice of God. Dinah means “justice”. Dinah was violated by Shechem, a Hittite, who then decided he wanted to marry her. He and the people of his town were tricked into getting circumcised so that they would be easy prey for her two brothers, Simeon and Levi. Dinah had been just like that town - defenseless and easy prey. Simeon and Levi avenged the wrong done to their sister. This is a story to show us that God does watch over his children and he will fight for them and vindicate them. Jacob was upset about what they had done, but I think, God was pleased. There is a time to show mercy and a time to fight.
It is hard to please people, so please God. The people criticized John for being so weird and said he had a demon. John didn’t drink or feast with people. Jesus came drinking and feasting and hanging out with very questionable people. The proof would be in the fruit they bore through others. Jesus rebuked the cities he did the most miracles in because they had decided that his power came from the devil.
He ends by giving them his “yoke”. Every high priest had a “yoke”. It was the law according to him. Every priest would add more definition to laws making them harder and harder to follow. Jesus told them that his yoke was easy and his burden was light. That was certainly good news. Jesus only had two commandments: Love God, love man.
Lord, thank you for your justice, your might and your laws.
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