Double Answer to Prayer By Andrew McChesney The first-year theology student ran to the worship room at Zaoksky Adventist University south of Moscow, Russia. Falling on his knees, he prayed, “Lord, why are You blessing me? I am so sinful.” Twenty-year-old Vadim Antyushin felt an overwhelming sense of his unworthiness of God’s blessings. He felt … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Night of Wrestling,” Pages 195-203, in Patriarchs and Prophets. “Jacob’s experience during that night of wrestling and anguish represents the trial through which the people of God must pass just before Christ’s second coming … Such will be the experience of God’s people in their final struggle with the powers … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 35:15-29. What other woes did Jacob face within his dysfunctional family? As soon as Jacob leaves Bethel, three interrelated incidents mark the last step of his journey toward the Promised Land: Jacob’s last son was born; Rachel died; and Reuben, Jacob’s first son from Leah, slept with Jacob’s concubine. Though the text doesn’t say … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 34:30-35:15. What lessons can we take about true worship from what happened here? Immediately after Jacob’s complaint that his peace with the Canaanites had been compromised (Genesis 34:30), and after his two sons were rebuked (Genesis 34:30), God urges Jacob to leave Shechem and return to Bethel in order to renew his covenant. Indeed, the Lord … Continue reading –>
Now that Jacob has reconciled with his brother, he wants to settle in the land of Canaan in peace. The word shalem, “safely” (Genesis 33:18, NKJV), from the word shalom, “peace,” for the first time characterizes his journey. After having purchased a piece of land from the inhabitants (Genesis 33:19), he erects an altar there, showing his faith and his realization … Continue reading –>
From Peniel, “the face of God” (see Genesis 32:30), the place where he had this experience with God, Jacob moves now to meet with his brother. After 20 years of separation, Jacob sees him coming with 400 men (Genesis 33:1). Jacob is worried, and therefore prepares himself and his family for whatever might happen. Read Genesis 33:1-20. What connection … Continue reading –>
Gone from Laban, Jacob soon has another experience with God. Knowing that his brother, Esau, is coming, and with “four hundred men” (Genesis 32:6), too. Jacob prays fervently to the Lord, even though he acknowledged that “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 32:22-31; Hosea 12:3-4; Jeremiah 30:5-7; Genesis 33:1-20; Genesis 34:30-35:29. Memory Text: “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’” (Genesis 32:28, NKJV). The family saga of Jacob continues, both the good and the bad. Yet, through … Continue reading –>
My Most Valuable Possession By Theda Pienaar As is my custom, I opened my Bible to read on a flight from Namibia to South Africa. Immediately, a young man beside me spoke up. “Is that a Bible?” he said. He apparently was from Eastern Europe. “Yes, it’s a Bible,” I said. “Do you believe in … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: God chose Jacob, not because he deserved it, but because of His grace. And yet, Jacob worked hard to try to deserve grace, which itself is a contradiction. If he deserved it, then it wouldn’t be grace; it would be works (see Romans 4:1-5), which is contrary to the gospel. Only later did Jacob start … Continue reading –>
