Scripture: Jacob – Genesis 32
As a youth, you probably remember the story of Jacob’s ladder many times.
Jacob was sneaky. Deceitful. Conniving. Crafty. Dishonest. Selfish. His name means “Heel Grabber.” He came out of the womb wanting that which did not belong to him, holding onto his brother Esau’s heel.
Esau was rough and tough. An outdoorsman. A hunter. The “woodsy” type. His name meant “Red” and “Hairy.” Genesis 25:25 – “His whole body was like a hairy garment.” Sexy, Huh? The guy was a human “Orangutan.”
So you had “Big Red”, Esau the Ape Man and in contrast, Jacob was a spoiled smooth-skinned “mamma’s boy” who ran around hanging onto mom’s coat tails all the time. He was a “wimp.” I’ll bet he was a “tattle-tale” too! I can just hear him: “Mom, Esau hit me!” “Mom, Esau snuck some candy out of the pantry before dinner.” “Mom, Esau called me a dirty name.” “Mom, Esau shot the neighbor’s cat with his bow and arrow.”
One day, Jacob deceived his blind father (with his mother’s help). They covered his smooth body with goatskins so he felt (and “smelt”) like his hairy brother and he stole Esau’s birthright and blessing. Made “Big Red” so mad that he vowed to kill Jacob as soon as his father died. Jacob had to run for his life and the momma’s boy never saw his mother again.
But later he would wrestle with God and walk away not only with his name changed to Israel, but also his character changed. The heel grabber grabbed for God instead.
- What changes have taken place in your own life through an encounter with God?
- In what ways has your character changed since you became a Christian?
- What things are still being worked on by God in your life?
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