Devotional: Genesis 32

<This is an excerpt from our devotional book for our current series through Genesis. Each book contains daily devotions and questions for reflection. For a free copy of our devotional books please visit our connect desk on Sundays, and to watch the accompanying sermon, click here>

Genesis 32:6-9a—

“And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, thinking, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.” And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac…”

In this passage, we see Jacob at the lowest point of his life. He is fleeing his cruel uncle. He is hopeful that there is a refuge in his childhood home, and he receives news that he interprets as a threat of utter destruction.

Why did God bring him to this point? Because it forced Jacob to finally meet with him. Up to this point, Jacob has been content to let his wits and trickery get the job done (bartering with his brother, lying to his father, shrewd dealings with his uncle). But finally, we see him at a point that his schemes have failed him, and the best he hopes to achieve by them is to mitigate his destruction. It is in this state that Jacob turns to God.

This is a perfect example of God bringing about tribulation in order to drive his people to himself. If Jacob was not desperate, do you think he would have wrestled the whole night? What is the difference between Jacob bartering with Esau in youth and Jacob returning home to Esau? The primary difference is that the older Jacob was aware of his impotence.

This is a tremendous lesson for the Christian: At any moment the best your wealth, wits, and strength give you is the illusion of control. It is not that tragedy in our lives causes us to lose control but rather tragedy and trial reveal to us that we never had it to begin with. Therefore, the benefit of the trial is that it causes us to do what we should have been doing in the time of “ease.” Run to and cling to God. Trust his promises, his provision, his strength, and not our own.

Had not God declared before Jacob was even born “the older shall serve the younger”? (Gen 25:23) And is it not God who declares the end from the beginning and from time past things yet to come (Isa 46:10). Why then was it finally in Chapter 32 that Jacob, at last, turned to God? God’s sovereignty over circumstances did not change. The only thing that changed was Jacob recognizing finally that his strength and his schemes were not enough to save him. And so he let go of his schemes, and instead clung to God.

REFLECTION & NOTES

1. Do you cling to the illusion of control? In light of this passage and those cited above, do you see in what way it is an illusion?

2. When you find yourself in a trial, what is your response?

3. Are you anxious because your view of God’s sovereignty is too small? How can you bring the truth of God’s sovereignty into practical war against your anxiety and desires for control?