Mon.’s Devo -Jacob Becomes Israel

Read: Genesis 32:13-34:31; Matthew 11:7-30: Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 3:19-20 In Genesis 28:22 Jacob had set a pillar and worshiped the Lord. He had pledged to give a tenth of all he had to the Lord. I wonder if this was not Jacob’s tithe that he set apart to give to his older brother Esau. Jacob took out a set number of all he had and put them in charge of the servants that would be in the first group. They were to be a peace offering to Esau. Jacob sent the second group over the Jabbock River and spent the night alone. That night an angel came down and wrestled with Jacob all night long. The only way the angel could get free was to touch Jacob’s hip and wrench it out of its socket. He begged Jacob to let him go before the day dawned but Jacob wouldn’t let him go until he blessed him. The angel asked Jacob what his name was and he changed it to Israel because as a prince, he had fought with God and with men and had prevailed. Israel means “he will rule asa prince of God.” Jacob named the place Peniel which means “face of God”. He limped from that day and Israelites don’t eat the meat around the hip socked to honor his victory. When Jacob saw Esau coming, he placed the children of his concubines first and Rachel and Joseph last. Jacob went ahead of them and bowed down before Esau. Esau ran to hug and kiss Jacob and they both wept. Esau asked about the people with him and Jacob intruded them. He asked about all the animals that he met first and Jacob told him they were a gift of friendship. Esau said it was unnecessary but Jacob insisted. Esau wanted to escort him to Seir but Jacob insisted on staying behind and moving slowly for the sake of his flocks. Instead of going to Seir, Jacob stopped in Succoth in Canaan, where he bought some land from Hamor the prince of the country and set up booths for his cattle. He erected an altar and called it El-elohe-Israel which means “the mighty god of Israel.” Leah’s daughter Dinah went out to make some friends and was met by Shechem, the son of Hamor. He took her and raped her. Shechem asked his father to get Dinah for him to marry. Hamor went to Jacob and told him that Shechem wanted to marry Dinah and asked that they make a covenant and intermarry with one another. It would be financially a win for both of them. He asked Jacob to name his price for Dinah. Dinah’s brothers had a confrontation with Shechem and schemed to get back at him for defiling Dinah. They told them that if they would circumcise themselves as they were then they would intermarry. Hamor and his son Shechem and all the men in the city agreed to do that. Then all that Jacob owned would be theirs too. When they had all circumcised each man, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s blood brothers took swords and came to the city and killed all the men who were too sore to fight. They slew Hamor and Shechem and took Dinah back. They also spoiled the city of all its wealth. They took the children and wives captive and all their cattle. Jacob was not happy with what they had done and was afraid that the other nations in Canaan would seek revenge on him. Their response was, “Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?” I have to agree with their statement but maybe not the way it was done. I think God saved them from making a very unwise covenant with the people of the land. In Matthew, Jesus commended John the Baptist as being the greatest prophet. He was the one who prepared the way for him to come. He chastised the people for not eating and drinking and said he was demon-possessed yet the chastised Jesus for eating and drinking. Nothing satisfied them. He condemned the cities where he did most of his miracles: Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. They loved the miracles but rejected him. It would be better for Sodom and Tyre and Sidon on judgement day than them. Jesus calle for all who were weary and tired of the yoke of the Pharisees. His requirements were light and his way was easy and in him they would find rest for their souls. Our only burden is to carry his light. Lord, may we courageously carry the light of Jesus and rest in him. May we be satisfied in Christ.