God Speaks
Jacob Wrestles with God, Reconnects with Esau and Daughter Dinah Is Defiled
Verse of the Day: [May we follow Jacob’s pattern for prayer.] “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. . . . Save me, I pray, from the hand of my [enemy], for I am afraid . . . But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper . . . ‘ (Genesis 32:10-12 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection.
Consider the following questions regarding Genesis 32-34
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Genesis 32
1. God wants people to engage with him even if it means wrestling.
2. People should do what they can to reconcile with those from whom they are estranged.
Genesis 33
1. God can change the hearts and minds of people who are angry with us.
2. Just because we are reconciled with someone doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to be close to them.
Genesis 34
1. God expects people to behave honorably.
2. People need to address evil in an honorable way, directed by God.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding Genesis 32-34?
Dear Sovereign God who reconciles people unto Himself and with each other, thank You for giving Your followers the ministry of reconciliation. There are people in my life that I avoid because I have hurt them, or they have hurt me. Please help me to go to them and humble myself before them so that we can be reconciled. I realize that mere appeasement, although it seems logical, is not the answer. First, I need to wrestle the situation out with You, confessing my wrongdoing and receiving the blessing of Your forgiveness. I do hereby, humble myself under Your mighty but loving hand. I need to leave it to You whether You change the other person’s attitude or not. It’s my heart that You desire to change. O righteous and holy God, as You well know, human life is full of evil. Sometimes, You prevent it. If You do allow it to occur, You expect us to consult You as to how to handle it in a way that honors You. In the case of Dinah’s rape by Shechem, no one consulted You. In the case of rape or any other evil or wrong-doing, people are to confess their sin to You and be transparent with each other. We should then claim the forgiveness procured for us at the cross of Jesus. You will hear and give us His righteousness by way of the indwelling Holy Spirit. That way many lives will be saved, now and for eternity. Much evil and suffering will be avoided. Wrongs like rape, the killing of innocent people (including abortion), plundering and theft, kidnapping, and enslavement will be dealt with and eliminated. Please make our leaders strong and courageous instead of weak and cowardly. O God, please deal with bad leadership in Your time and in Your way. LORD God, as we reconcile with You and with each other, we will bring You glory, LORD AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Genesis 32-34? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray with people and demonstrate how to confess sin and cooperate with God in ways that honor Him.
- I will work with others to see wrongs like rape, the killing of innocent people (including abortion), plundering and theft, kidnapping and enslavement dealt with and eliminated from our society.
- I will ask the Lord to help me to do whatever He directs in order to be reconciled to _______ (specific person).
- I will worship the Lord Jesus for reconciling me to God.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.