Genesis 32

Father God, we thank you for this Word. We praise Your holy name and let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Speak to our hearts LORD in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Genesis 32 starts off with Jacob encountering the angels of God as He went about his way after the separation from Laban (Genesis 32:1). When Jacob saw the angels, he called the place Mahanaim for he said, "This is God's camp." (Genesis 32:2). I believe this was God's reminder to Jacob that He was with indeed with Him. I find it interesting that Jacob never heard any supernatural visitations during his stay with his uncle Laban.

In the book of 1 Kings 17:7-11 is a story of prophet called Elijah who was instructed by God to go to a widow's house during a time of famine. God's plan was to provide for both the prophet, the widow and her son.

Elijah's story just like Jacob highlights the importance of obedience. When you are walking in obedience to God's instruction, He will see to it that you are well taken care of and that includes meeting all of your needs. In Elijah's story, God had to meet his need for shelter and provision while on the other hand, the widow also needed God's provision for food and later on, the son of her life who rose from the dead because of Elijah's prayers (Genesis 17:19-23).

Later on in Genesis 32, we see Jacob preparing to meet with his brother Esau. If you remember, Esau was the "reason" that Jacob had to run off to his uncle's house because He was afraid that he would kill him. So naturally, Jacob was afraid of his brother so He asked for God's help in prayer and said, "Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude." (Genesis 31:11-12).

Later on, we see Jacob sending men with gifts ahead of him to present to Esau (Genesis 31:14-21). He also sent his family ahead of him (Genesis 32:22) and while he stayed behind by himself. During this time, Jacob has another divine visitation. This time round, he wrestled with a Man whom he refused to let go until sunrise (Genesis 32:24). This encounter changed Jacob's life as this Man (who is believed to have been the LORD) said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."

I'll end with this Word found in Genesis 32:29-30 (NKJV)

29.Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And he said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.

30.So Jacob called the name of the place called Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."

AMEN. Thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: I invite you to make this confession that invites you to new covenant that is found in the precious blood of Jesus Christ where we get to have a personal relationship with God, the Father and are kept safe in all of His blessings for His children:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

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PS: Remember to read Genesis 32 alongside this post in your personal devotional time and share your thoughts in the comments below!