When Jacob divided his family and gave so much of what he had to Esau, was he being a selfish coward or a humble leader?
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And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
Genesis 32:24
Why did Jacob stay behind alone when his family was in danger? His being alone is important for prophetic/metaphorical imagery, but 33:1-2 show that he really wasn't far from his family. At most, they were probably still in sight.
How could Jacob have wrestled with anyone if he was alone? Who was this man? Hosea calls him an angel (Hosea 12:4, Hebrew: malak), but Jacob says the man was God (Genesis 32:29).
Coming up at 7:30 p.m., on Nov. 28, 2023: First Fruits Ministries will present "The Narrow Path," a Bible study presentation. Please join us if would like to dive in to explore the glory of God's Word. Join us in person at the Quill at 131 Amory St. in Manchester, NH, or on zoom via https://tinyurl.com/y84tmrph (If needed, the passcode is "Yeshua."
While people are singing it's the most wonderful time of the year, I'm singing it's the most DIFFICULT TIME OF THE YEAR... ?
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 ESV
Regarding the soft answer, consider Jacob's approach to Esau in Genesis 32, .Gideon's flattery of Ephraim in Judges 8, and Abigail saving her family from David in 1 Samuel 25.
Regarding the harsh answer, consider Jephthah being too honest to Ephraim in Judges 12, David provoking Goliath to pride in 1 Samuel 17, and Yeshua's rebuke of the Pharisees in Luke 4.
There's a time for both.
I think these pads I got were mislabeled as “knee pads” when they are actually “shin guards” as that is where they always end up. ?
I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.
Genesis 32:10
Jacob left Canaan with just a staff and returned as two hosts of people. The flock grows as the shepherd is ready. The transformation wasn't magic, though. He worked for twenty years before he was able to return home.
Anointing doesn't automatically bring success in business or ministry. You still have to go out and earn what God has given. God can't do His best for us if we aren't doing our best for Him. Obedience brings blessing.
"buy a sword"
Lk 22
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Noah Eargle
The bad things are that he seems to have shown inequality here by putting the favorites last (we know that out of all wives and sons, Rachel, and Benjamin and Joseph were his favorites), and fearful in sending gifts to appease (Hebrew literally cover the face of) Esau.
The good things are that the latter bad thing changed later as he went to him, as he openly bowed before and stood before him, and that he insisted on giving to Esau what he had to offer, and never wanted anything back from him.
In the end, I would have to say that he showed all of his characters through this, the bad and the good. He never thought too highly of himself through it all, praying very hard about it and how he was unworthy of the kindness Yah had shown him: but the stressful situation did expose a character that would soon be confronted with Joseph’s story, and show Jacob something that he needed to work on in his character through Yah’s guidance.
That is why discipleship is needed constantly with spiritual brothers: iron sharpens iron, and this life is a test that will soon prove if we’re ready for what’s coming, and how we will do soon.
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