Read: Genesis 32:13-34:31; Matthew 11:7-30; Psalm 14:1-7; Provers 3:19-20
Yesterday, we read that Jacob was met by angels sent from God. There must have been so many, he called it the camp of God. (Gen. 32:1,2) Jacob stayed there while he came up with his strategy for meeting Esau. He chose 550 animals to send ahead as a present to Esau. That night he wrestled with one of the angels of God’s army. They wrestled until dawn to get a blessing and when the sun started to come up the angel gave in. He had to hurt Jacob to get away, but he gave Jacob his blessing. Jacob named the place Penuel which meant “face of God”.
I have a feeling that that blessing had to do with his meeting with Esau. He was blessed in that Esau was not mad any more. He was convinced to take Jacob’s gifts as a peace offering for all Jacob had done to him and then they parted ways. Jacob went to Succoth which is symbolic for the tabernacles the people would make for the Feast of Tabernacles years later. Jacob had made it home. Jacob bought his first piece of land in the Promise Land of Canaan for 400 pieces of silver. It was right outside of Shechem. That was the same price that Abraham bought his first piece of land in Canaan. Jacob set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel which means “Mighty is the God of Israel”.
Leah had a daughter named Dinah who went into the city of Hamor to visit the women of the land. The ruler of the area whose name was Shechem saw her and took her and violated her. Then he decided he wanted to marry her so he went to Jacob to make a covenant with their people. Dinah’s two blood brothers, Levi and Simeon heard about what Shechem had done to Dinah and were furious and wanted revenge. They came up with a plan to get back. They told them they would only make a covenant with their people if they would all be circumcised. The men agreed and got circumcised. Three days later, Simon and Levi came into their city and killed all the men and looted their city. When Jacob found out he was not happy. He was afraid that what his sons did made him a threat to the other nations. I wonder if God didn’t allowed this to happen so they wouldn’t make a covenant with the people of the land. They were not to join them but subdue them.
In Matthew, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for not having spiritual eyes to see. The prophets were sent to lead the people back to God, yet the kings killed them. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets and he was the greatest because his job was to welcome the Messiah. They killed him also. They were always coming up with a reason for not liking the prophets but Jesus said, no matter what God sent them, they rejected. So God hid his best treasure from them and revealed it to children. The only one who really knew God was Jesus and whoever he chose to let see. No one knew Jesus, except God.
He gave the invitation to all who were tired and heavy to come to him. His laws were easy and light and he would teach them with kindness and love.
Lord, thank you that you reveal yourself to all who will diligently seek you. We seek your face.
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