Genesis 32:22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
I could probably spend weeks on this section, reading, studying, pondering. There is so much I don’t understand here. But we are barely halfway through Genesis, so I want to focus on the piece of today’s scripture that I do understand–Jacob needed to be alone, away from all the noise and distraction, before he could deal with the internal baggage he carried.
Genesis 32:23-24 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
It is easy to ignore things when you are busy. Issues, nudges, problems–push them all aside and focus on the task at hand that must be completed. But when we are alone, when all the other things are out of our way, then we are left with ourselves and Jesus. It can be a really uncomfortable place. But it is the only way to truly die to self and allow Jesus to lead.
Genesis 32:25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
Precious Savior, All of us have or will experience a dark night of the soul where we wrestle with You over our wants and desires. It is not until we die to self, let go of the things that we are holding on to so tightly, that we can allow you to fully work through our lives. That struggle is so painful, but You are sovereign, loving, compassionate, merciful. Thank You that You love us too much to leave us to ourselves. Be with us in our struggle. Amen.
Genesis 32:26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Have a blessed day.