ABF 19.29 LN

GOOD MORNING!
We conclude today with our study into JACOB
Remember we’ve been studying AGENCY this year, how we live and work out our intended purpose when we live in relationship with the Lord and who/how he created us to be
Anxiety, fear, vengeance didn’t prevent Jacob from trying to understand and glorify God in his own agency
We see in the OT God speaking to individuals to fulfill the promise he first made to Abraham … the call those people had to bring this promise and plan into fruition
Unfortunately we also see many of those people misinterpret how this was to come to pass, and they took matters solely into their own hands rather than seek God’s counsel and be faithful to His plan
With all that Jacob had gone through in his life you would hope that he learned to lean into that promise and trust in God’s way, to not trust his own understanding
Genesis 32: 3-8
Jacob is still living in fear of the fallout between him and his brother, Esau
His response, understandable if not misguided, is that he’s planning for that fallout. He sees war coming, so he prepares for war.
His reaction is based in man’s wisdom. Fortunately this time, he also sought out God’s counsel … and so he prayed to Him.
Jacob recognizes the promise and hopes in it, despite the calamity that was surely coming his way.
God is not the one who forgets his relationship with man, it’s man that forgets that relationship.
Do we only come to the Lord when trouble is before us? Or do we remember Him all the time?
The necessity for relationship with God doesn’t just come when things are hard, but when things are good as well.
This prayer marks a difference in the way we’ve seen Jacob conduct himself up until now – and how he prioritized his relationship with God.
This is what sparks a different tactic from Jacob … an offering to the person he wronged, seeking forgiveness.
Ultimately what God wants isn’t offerings, but contrite hearts. Hearts of flesh. True repentance to live and act differently.
The interaction between Jacob and God in Genesis 32 seems to have humbled him. Forcing him to confront his own stubborn pride/wisdom/anxiety/fear
This wrestling match shows Jacob that it’s not he who’s in control, but God.
So how do we move forward with this knowledge and trust that God is in control?
We need to re-prioritize the relationship. Jacob used to put God second after first implementing his own wisdom and plans.
When our relationship with God becomes our knee jerk thought, our natural reaction, our first trust and love – then we our better situated to live in a more righteous agency.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Daniel 3: 16-18
When we go to God first, then we our better prepared for what comes next … good or bad. Our perspective in our experiences, relationships or trials is reshaped.