A Picture of the God of Reconciliation
To receive the greatest possible blessing from this Bible study, please take a moment to read the passage.
For previous lessons on Genesis or previous Bible studies, please visit our archives: http://www.twosmallfish.org/Archives/index.html
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Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I have fallen short of Your expectations for me countless times, yet, You desire to reconcile our relationship. Left in my hands, restitution is unattainable. But You, in Your infinite mercy and grace, have made a way for me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am in awe of You.
Introduction:
The day I opened my credit card bill and found a $35 late fee, I was furious. Although I mailed the payment in plenty of time, it arrived a day late. No amount of pleading would deter the consequences or so I thought. I couldn’t prove I had mailed it on time. The mishap had cost me a new outfit, or a ink cartridge, or a gift to a missionary. The more I thought about it, the more irked I became. Yet, I had no legal right to complain. The bottom line: It appeared that I had violated the contract and I had to pay the fine.
At the current interest rate, if I had chosen to ignore it, that small fine could have escalated to an enormous bill and my credit rating would have plummeted lower than rock bottom.
The Lesson:
Jacob’s credibility plummeted lower than rock bottom the day he deceived his father and brother. The conflict caused Jacob to seek refuge in his uncle’s house. Genesis chapter 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. Although twenty years had past since Jacob violated his brother, the offense remained unresolved and as far as Jacob knew, Esau’s anger increased with a phenomenal “annual percentage rate” compounded daily.
It makes sense that the closer to home Jacob traveled the more he became concern about Esau’s “a.p.r.” Perhaps doubts and fears plagued him to the point of desiring to return to Laban. The Bible reveals little at this point, but God’s angels met Jacob along the way to encourage, direct, and enable him to continue on his designated path.
After his encounter, Jacob sent his own messengers to reassure Esau that he came in peace not intending to take anything from his brother. Nevertheless, the messenger’s report of Esau coming to meet him with four hundred men disheartened Jacob. He knew his day of judgment and restitution had come.
Some day Jesus will ride with an army of, not hundreds, but thousands and fear will grip the hearts of the unsaved (Revelation 19: 11-21) just as it did Jacob. Unlike Jacob, they will have no time to prepare because they missed the many opportunities that had previously been given them to repent and be saved. Their Day of Judgment will have come and the just verdict will be executed. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). That is why we must put our trust in Jesus now while the opportunity is given to us to believe because . . . Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
The Living God of Abraham and Isaac was Jacob’s only hope of deliverance. In Genesis 32:9-12, Jacob appealed to the LORD. This prayer serves as a model for us when faced with uncertainty. Perhaps it will be our plea as we prepare ourselves to stand before the Holy God on Judgment Day.
1. Acknowledge who God is and His command to return to Him
2. Confess our unworthiness before the Holy God
3. Identify His mercies and truth
4. Remember what we were and all He has blessed us with
5. Admit we have done all we knew to do and yet, stand helpless before Him
6. Seek deliverance from God’s wrath
7. Stand on His promise for Salvation
That same night, Jacob prepared his atonement for his offense by selecting the best of his livestock as a gift for Esau. Then Jacob sent his servants with the gift and this message: Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me (v. 20).
Although he trusted God for deliverance, Jacob continued to express concern about Esau’s willingness to accept him. Similarly, many people trust God, yet continue to worry about their salvation. While we need to be cautious when dealing with other people, we can trust God to accept us because He prepared for Himself the only atonement for our sins that would appease Him. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, goes before us to reconcile us with the Father. . . . for you [the Lamb of God] were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood . . . (Revelations 5:9b).
In verses 22 through 31, we witness God’s willingness to do whatever it takes to finish the work He began in His servant. Not quite ready for reconciliation with his brother, Jacob sent his wives, sons, and all his possessions over the Jabbok secluding himself, perhaps to pray. This, too, is a good example to follow when we are in dire straights. Nevertheless, Jacob found himself in the presence of a man and they wrestled all night. Although it represents an intense spiritual struggle, the man was real and the battle was real. In the Hebrew text, the word “man” is used only once in this passage and may be translated “someone.” Not until the struggle ended, did Jacob realize the one he had wrestled was the incarnate God.
God did not let up on Jacob until every bit of pride and arrogance was worked out of His servant. Jacob received a blessing and as a reminder of God’s supremacy, he received an infirmity. Jesus said, “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:” (Mark 9:45). Jacob saw the value of the lesson and praised God for sparing his life.
Jacob paid his debt in full that night. Yes, he spent the remainder of his days lame, but he entered his father Isaac’s house a changed man prepared to become the leader of a nation God had appointed him to be.
Conclusion and Challenge
Several months after I had paid the credit card fine, I found out that financial companies are reasonable. Had I made a simple phone call and explained the situation they would have waived the fine.
We ALL—BAR NONE— have violated the contract God has set before us and like the credit card company, God demands restitution. Unfortunately, none of us has enough goodness, wealth, or works to pay the fine let alone the bill.
Far more reasonable then any human organization, God wants to waive our entire debt; therefore, He has paid it through the blood of Jesus. Refusing His proposal is like having a million dollar credit card debt and having the company offer to cancel the entire balance leaving you with no obligation. And in our arrogance, we refuse their generosity. No rationally thinking person would do such a ludicrous thing. Yet, millions refuse God’s plan of salvation offered to every sinner. As believers, let us pray fervently for our unsaved loved ones.
Start a Ministry
Start a new ministry. Print some business cards with a picture of a penny and the slogan “In God We Trust.” Under the slogan write: But are we trusting the one true God? If you like, place my website on it or yours or your church’s site. Hand them out—with your tip a restaurants, to passers-by, to cashiers, put them in all your outgoing mail. Pray earnestly for our nation’s revival.
If you don’t have a computer or time to make cards, but would like to invest in this ministry, write to me via e-mail and I’ll send you some-FREE.
Prayer Requests:
Danny, Clayton, Ron, Drew, Jo, Gene, Kathie, Chuck, Mary Beth, children with cancer, Melinda & Barry and family, Shirley and Ryan, Frank and Dorothy, Nick and Rachel, children with birth defects and their families, Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.
Praise Report:
When fretting because my prayers seemed to go no further than the ceiling, I received my Father's answer. He said, "There's no need for your prayers to go any further than your tearstained pillow. I am here with you. I don't expect you to ascend to me any more than a father expects his infant to jump into his arms. I have loved you with an everlasting love and with loving kindness I have drawn you (Jeremiah 33:3 paraphrased by me).
WOO HOO!! God is so good—always, all ways.
We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.
Our Next Bible Study
In preparation, read Genesis Chapter 33
To read previous lessons on Genesis or previous Bible studies,
please visit our archives:
http://www.twosmallfish.org/Archives/index.html
Invitation:
Although we have not chosen to be, we are all born into sin because of the fall of man. It sounds hopeless and unfair. But in His infinite wisdom and abundant love, God has provided a choice for us. We can choose to repent of our sinful nature and believe in Jesus Christ. He is faithful and will cleanse us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit to equip us to live for Him. If you’ve made your choice to repent and believe in Jesus, we’d like to hear about it.
If you are free in Christ Jesus, pray for those who remain captive. And tell others, Christians as well as non-believers, what Jesus has done for you. Your testimony will benefit them and help you to strengthen your confidence in Christ’s work in your life and in the future.
If you’d like to participate in our Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests or at twosmallfish@verizon.net . Be sure to mention today’s Bible study in the subject line to get my attention.
A special reminder: to find out what other readers have to say check out the comment page.
May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Brenda Hendricks.
