Genesis 27
In this chapter Esau is swindled. Again.Jacob already took Esau's birthright (the promise that he would be first in line to receive his father's blessing) in an earlier chapter. Later when Isaac was nearing death, he wanted to pass on his blessing to Esau.
However Jacob disguises himself to be his brother (while Esau is out hunting) and receives the blessing instead of Esau. Remember, a blessing like this (in this time period) meant money, power, and to much degree, destiny. Have you ever been tempted to lie or cheat to get something you really wanted?
When Esau realizes he's been duped, he, the supposedly older and more wiser and worthy of the two brothers, begins to whine and cry about not receiving Isaac's blessing. Yes, in verse 38, Esau was pretty beside himself and whined, "Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!" Then Esau wept aloud.
Sometimes life isn't fair. Sometimes we have to accept it and move on. How would you react if you were in Esau's shoes?
Genesis 32
Fast forward a few years, and now Jacob is heading back to his country after running away from his brother Esau. Have you ever been in that awkward moment, when you reconnect with a person you've had a big fight with? You might be wondering what they might be thinking, especially if you did them wrong. Are they still mad? Maybe you should try being extra nice just in case...Jacob is in the same boat. He knows that Esau was really mad at him (in fact, he was going to kill Jacob!) and wasn't quite sure what his brother would do when he returned.
Jacob vs. God
I must admit, this would have been pretty cool to see in real life. Seriously, how often in the Bible does God come down to earth and duke it out with a human?! Answer: not very often.
This is a humbling moment in the story of Jacob. Up until now, he's had it all. Women, money, servants, and more are at his fingertips. He totally duped his older brother out of birthright and blessing. He was unbeatable. Yet, at the same time, he struggled. It wasn't all easy to get there, either.
The mysterious man wrestling Jacob was really God. This story teaches us about how God wrestles with the people of Israel throughout time similar to how he was fighting in person with Jacob.
Jacob was so determined to get his way and win, God had to employ a super power and "touched" the socket of Jacob's hip. Jacob eventually succumbed to this and agreed to quit. Jacob survived the fight, but carried the injury afterward.
Sometimes in our own life, we try to force our own will against God. God loves us, but that doesn't mean that our wrong choices do not carry consequences...
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