We all know the story how Jacob cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright.
That was a big thing. Being the firstborn in a family, especially in those days, carried special privileges and blessings.
Also, think about this: If Esau had not sold his birthright, would Scriptures have read: “God…the Father or Abraham, Isaac and Esau” instead of “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” as the Lord subsequently revealed Himself to mankind?
Awesome thought!
Anyway, now years have gone by since he stole his brother’s birthright, and we find Jacob married to two sisters. He fled from his father-in-law, Laban, the two of them also not having dealt quite honestly with each other over the years, and then entered into a covenant with Laban.
Now he is on his way to meet his brother, Esau, and he is scared stiff out of his tiny little mind…
“Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau,
and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” So Jacob
was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him,
and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.” Gen. 32: 6 – 7
He travels with two companies – if Esau attacks the one company at least the other company may have a chance to escape.
He starts praying very fervently to the Lord for His protection. Isn’t that just so typical of man? We do exactly as we please and then ask God to save and protect us?
Then He selects from all his possessions, including his live stock, a gift for his brother Esau and sends it ahead.
Again, typical of man. Don’t we always promise God all sorts of things if He would just come to our aid?
Then, because of his fears, he separates himself from everybody, having sent his wives and children over the river Jabbok, and in his sleep, a Man wrestles with him.
“Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of
his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.
And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks,” But he said, “I will not let You go
unless You bless me!’ So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said
“Jacob”. And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;
for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” ”
Gen. 32: 25 - 28
Again, typical of man. He is wrestling with God, but he insists on a blessing!
What is of significance here to me is the fact that from that moment on everyone could see that Jacob had been wrestling with God by the way that he walked because we read:
"Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.
Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank,
which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in
the muscle that shrank.” Gen. 32: 31 – 32
In the New Testament we find the following testimony, although it is not a physical manifestation:
“And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders and scribes, as
well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many
as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by
what name have you done this?” then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said
to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged
for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the
dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.” Acts 4: 5 – 10
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And
they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who
had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”
Acts. 4: 13 – 14
Here are Peter and John, two of the disciples of Jesus who ran away earlier when Jesus needed them most, facing the High Priest, his whole family, all the rulers of Israel. BOLDLY and in their faces they testify to the fact that Jesus was not only killed by those whom they are addressing but was resurrected from the dead by God. What they were in fact telling the addressees were enough to have them crucified as well! Yet, we find that the fearful had now become the fearless.
You could see from their new way of walking that they had been with Jesus! Even the High Priest had to admit that!
How many times whilst Jesus was on the earth had this been seen. The lame being able to walk after being with Him, the deaf hearing, the blind seeing, the mute talking – you could see by the changes in them that they had been with Christ.
The secret is, of course, that you must want to be changed, be healed of your infirmities. Jesus meets with a man who had suffered from an infirmity for 38 years, lying at the pool of Bethesda, and Jesus asks this man:
“…Do you want to be made well?” John 5: 6
Why ask what seems to be such a silly question to a man who had been sick for 38 years?
Well, just maybe, the sick man had become accustomed to his condition; maybe he enjoyed all the attention – the fact that people had to wait on him, that he did not have to do much for himself… even though he answers with valid reasons why he has not been healed to date…
Perhaps we love being in the circumstances we are, being used, abused, being trodden on, being made to feel unworthy, being a martyr.
Perhaps we enjoy drinking too much to not want to be an alcoholic; enjoy the effect of the drugs too much to want to be ‘clean’ – enjoy our sexual sins too much to want to be free? Enjoy the feeling of being loved too much to want to give up our secret love…
Hear Jesus asking:
“Do you want to be made well?”
Well, do you?
Of course, you know it would be better for all if you were well… if you can fend for yourself…if you are free from booze, drugs, prostitution, your extra-marital affair…your embezzling of the companies funds…whatever…
But do you?
What is holding you back from taking that first step to freedom?
I am writing this not in a judgmental way. In fact, I know only too well what this is all about. I have also at times struggled with my own infirmities, knowing full well that I needed to be freed from it.Wanting to live according to God’s will and wanting God to be in control of my life, yet…hoping I can convince God that this should be His will for my life for this time. Then one Friday morning I sat down in front of the piano…coming into the presence of Almighty God…singing well-known oldies…”In the presence of the Lord there is love. In the presence of the Lord there is peace. In the presence of the Lord there is healing (here the tears started…) Lord I stand in Your presence with my life, Lord, I stand in Your presence with my life…” and “Into Thy presence I come, not by the works I have done, but by Thy grace, and Thy grace alone, into Thy presence I come.” And: “In His presence, in His holy presence, the weary will find perfect peace, the broken are restored…”
After a while, I just sat on the couch, waiting…Suddenly, the Lord was there…Father God…embracing me…I could feel the texture of His hair, his garment, feel the gentle pressure of His hand on my back as He pulled me close…leaning against his chest … no judgment…such gentle love, such kindness…such comfort and compassion.
Afterwards I wondered why the overwhelming experience was that of comfort?
That Sunday morning I overslept very badly – I was too late to go to the service…and after about an hour realised something had changed…something was no longer the same…something had been mended…the process of healing had in fact been started…
“Do you want to be made well? ” And It would be noticed by my daily walk...
Thank You, Lord, that You love us unconditionally. Thank You that Your love is kind, compassionate. That you want to comfort us but change us to reveal Your glory.
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