Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ
Our watch word for today is taken from Genesis 32 verse 10, “Jacob said: Lord I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown me, your servant,” (NRSVB). Jacob worked for twenty years for his father-law-law, Laban, and after a long and contested time, Jacob finally received a blessing from Laban to depart with his wives, who were Laban’s two daughters, the children, servants and flocks to the country of Gilead. As he was travelling he was met by Angels of God. He called the meeting place, the place of two armies, Mahanaim. Jacob was worried because he would have to face his brother, Esau, the brother whom he tricked out of his inheritance. He sent his servants ahead to ask his brother if he may pass through his lands with his people and flocks. They returned telling him that his brother was on the way with four hundred men. Jacob was most concerned. He knew that his brother had a rightful hatred towards him for what he did. He wondered if his brother would declare war against him. Jacob prayed to God and said that God called him to go back to the land of his father and promised to do good to him, despite him being undeserving. Jacob pleaded for the safety of his people and his possessions and started to prepare a great gift of flock for his brother Esau as a restoration gift. That night the Angel of the Lord appeared to Jacob and Jacob wrestled with the Angel and would not let Him go unless He would bless him. The angel struck Jacob on his hip, in order so that Jacob would release Him. This caused Jacob to limp. The angel declared that Jacob’s wrestling with Him and not giving up, changed the future for Jacob. He would receive a new name and a new anointing from the Lord. Instead of being called Jacob, which means supplanter and swindler, he would be called Israel, meaning contender with God and men, for he prevailed and secured the blessing from the Lord. He would be blessed. His twelve sons would head up the twelve tribes of Israel. His brother would do him no harm, and they would be reconciled. Jacob was fully aware that he did not do anything to deserve God’s amazing grace. This grace allowed him to grow in wealth and stature and gave him a place of honour amongst the leaders of the Jewish Nation. Jacob, throughout his life, despite his wrongful deeds, was always mindful of God, the God of the Angel Armies. He was thankful for God’s help and protection. Like King David, many centuries after Jacob, Jacob came to the Lord and asked forgiveness for his misdeeds. God forgave and blessed him, more than what he ever thought possible. The Jews were proud to say that they were true sons of their Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, true Israelites in their understanding of God’s blessing, redemption and deliverance given to them through the ages.
As Jesus approached Jericho He saw Zacchaeus in the fig tree. Jesus called him and entered his house. Zacchaeus was a Jew, an Israelite, but he was rejected by his own people for he swindled them. “Then Jesus said to Zacchaeus: Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham,” Luke 19 verse 9. As God reinstated Jacob, so Jesus reinstated Zacchaeus, and reminded the Pharisees that he is a son of Abraham, therefore a true Israelite, who needs mercy, just as their Father Jacob had received. Jacob made restoration to his brother. Esau did not want to accept it for he said God had blessed him too, nonetheless Jacob begged his brother to receive his gift. Jacob gave back more than what he took, so did Zacchaeus. God forgives and He works in people to forgive those who have sinned against them, so that we can live in peace.
Father, you forgive and bring people to a place where they can ask forgiveness and make reparation. Thank you for seeking, finding and bringing us back to your family. Amen.