55. Desperate Jacob (Gen 32:1-21)

Jacob did everything he could to appease Esau's expected wrath. However, the fear in his heart didn’t disappear.

πŸ‘‰Read Gen 32:1-21

Jacob sent messengers to Esau to find (              ) in his sight. But as he heard that Esau was coming with (            ) men, he became very afraid and divided the group into (            ) groups.

In Jacob’s prayer (v9-12), he acknowledges he was not worthy of all blessings God gave him. By what basis did he ask for God’s protection from his brother Esau? (two. 11, 12)

 

After prayer, Jacob sent his gifts for Esau in three groups. What did Jacob call himself before Esau in his servants’ words? (4, 18, 20)

Answers & Meditation

Jacob tried to seek Esau’s favor by saying that he had become rich (5) and by sending a lot of gifts (13-21). Jacob tried to appease Esau with gifts instead of an apology for his cheating. Though he prayed, it didn’t get rid of his fear completely.

Favor, 400, two

Though Jacob saw the Lord’s angels, he didn’t pray until he heard that Esau was coming with 400 men.

Mercy, faithfulness to the promise

God’s faithfulness and mercy. These are what we rely on as we live in the world and approach God.

‘your servant’

He lowered himself as ‘your servant’ before Esau.

He did all he could do, but there is no confidence in safety. “after that I will meet him. Perhaps he will accept me.” (20)


Jacob sacrificed a lot of wealth to save his life. Suffering opens our eyes to see that all those in the world that we have been running after cannot save us from God's judgment.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

25: ‘Tell us plainly’ vs ‘The Father and I are one.’ (John 10:22 – 42)

As Jesus announced the Father and Jesus were one, the Jewish leaders tried to stone him. πŸ‘‰ Read John 10:22 - 42 Q1. Why did the Jewish leaders not believe in Jesus? Answers πŸ‘‰ They refused to believe in Jesus, for they were not Jesus’ sheep. ‘you refused to believe.’ This tells their willing refusal.  Note that Jesus Himself doesn’t call Himself the Messiah. Instead, He called Himself the One sent from God. He focused on doing the Father’s works and proclaiming His words. From Jesus’ works, they could have concluded that He was the Messiah sent from God. But they refused to admit it. Instead, they asked Jesus to admit His identity as the Messiah plainly, which Jesus wouldn’t do. Q2. They asked Jesus if He were the (           ). But Jesus claimed that the (          ) and He are one. Because of this, they condemned Him of (             ) and tried to stone Him. Answer πŸ‘‰ They asked Jesus if He were the ( Christ ). But Jesus claimed that the ( Father  ) and He are one
Read more

26: Other Laws concerning human life (#6 no murder) (Deut 21:1 – 22:8)

The command ‘do not murder’ should be extended to its full measure and completeness. They needed to remove the guilt of unresolved murder, keep the dignity of the female slave, respect the patrilineal inheritance, and preserve various lives. πŸ‘‰ Read Deuteronomy 21:1 - 22:8 When a homicide victim is found, and no one knows the murderer, the elders of the nearest town must do a ritual of atonement through the death of a heifer. What is the purpose of doing so? (7-9) If you had made your female slave your wife, you can divorce her but not (             ) her. For a man with two wives, if his less-loved wife’s son is the firstborn, let him inherit the (            ) portion. He should not show favoritism according to his affection for one of his wives. When a son doesn’t listen to his parent, he is like a glutton and (             ). Why should they not leave the corpse on the tree of execution overnight? When you see someone’s lost possession, do not (           ) it. You must not re
Read more

35: I am the True Vine. You are the Branches (John 15:1 – 17)

Image
The vine tree analogy so vividly illustrates our relationship with Jesus. As the branches of a vine share the life of the vine, we share and live from Jesus’ life. πŸ‘‰ Read John 15:1 - 17 Q1. Why do we need to remain in Jesus? (2, 4) Answers πŸ‘‰ To bear fruit. God takes away any branch that doesn’t bear fruit. We might debate the security of salvation: do we lose our salvation if we bear no fruit? However, it is better to focus on how to bear fruit rather than how to get salvation.  “You are clean already.” It would refer to a born-again status, a rightful relationship with the Father, one who bathed (13:10). John uses the imagery of cleanness for salvation. In the OT bible, one should be ritually clean to stand before God.  When we believe Jesus’ gospel, we are reconciled with the Father. Though sinners, we can approach God by Jesus’ blood. The pruning (lit. cleaning) (2) of our life is to make us bear more fruit. “Remain”: You should stay, not stop by. No plant produces fruit
Read more