Grace in the Detours - Treasures of Faith - Week 6 Day 4

TODAY'S TREASURE

Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there...” 

Genesis 35:1

Transcript

Grace in the Detours

Chuck and Sharon Betters

Today’s Treasure

Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there...” 

Genesis 35:1

Even as his wives and concubines bore him more and more children, Jacob also prospered materially. Though Laban continued trying to swindle Jacob, God protected Jacob, His chosen man, and Jacob’s flocks flourished greatly. Laban and his sons concluded that Jacob had outwitted them, and their attitudes toward him began to turn sour. In the midst of that controversy, God in grace spoke to Jacob:

Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” Genesis 31:3

Jacob still didn’t really trust God’s voice, however, he apparently relied more on the opinions of his two wives than on a clear command from God. Providentially, however, both Rachel and Leah urged him to obey God in this instance—less because they believed God, as it turns out, than because they so greatly distrusted Laban, their wily father.

Though God promised to be with this family on their return home, Jacob was still extremely nervous and afraid. Going back home meant escaping from crafty and not-to-be trusted Laban, only to face the vengeful and murderous Esau. Surely, Jacob feared, one or the other of these formidable adversaries would catch up to and destroy both him and his family.

Believing God’s promise to protect us is, of course, especially hard when we are faced with real danger. 

In spite of Jacob’s faithlessness, God by grace protected him as he fled from his father-in-law’s angry pursuit, and God even warned Laban in a dream that he must not harm his son-in-law. Laban and Jacob were reconciled, and Jacob was able to leave that place in peace, taking his large family back to his homeland, the land of his father Isaac, the land of his “blood enemy,” his brother Esau.

Jacob remembered well the murderous wrath of Esau, and with great trepidation, he prepared to confront his brother. Fear of the outraged and swindled Esau, now a mighty and powerful leader in his own right, warred against Jacob’s desire to trust his God. Jacob was just so afraid. In desperation, he reminded God of His promises:

“Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.” Genesis 32:11

After sending gifts ahead to Esau to appease his anger, Jacob concluded the time had come for him to face head-on the consequences of his past. The night before he confronted Esau, however, Jacob, lagging behind his family as they crossed a stream called the Jabbok, was left standing alone. Suddenly, from the darkness, a man stepped out and threw Jacob to the ground. Throughout his life, Jacob had “wrestled” his enemies, outsmarting them, duping them, dodging and parrying and scheming his way through life, always getting what he wanted, always somehow “winning” in the end. He had successfully deceived his father and his brother and so won the birthright and the patriarchal blessing. He had learned to beat Laban at his own game. And he probably even thought he’d cut a “sweet deal” with the living God back at Bethel—saying, in effect, “You take care of me, Lord. Prosper me, protect me, and then I’ll be your man!” (Genesis 28:20–22). But this time, God initiated a wrestling match of His own, one that would teach Jacob that He—and He alone—controlled Jacob’s destiny.

Jacob began to realize that this was no ordinary person he was wrestling. Wounded, Jacob still clung helplessly to his opponent. He realized, probably for the first time in his life, how helpless he really was without the supernatural help of the living God. Jacob, humbled and severely wounded, pleaded for God’s blessing. In answer to that pain-filled prayer, God changed his name from “Jacob” (“he grasps the heel”) to “Israel” (“he struggles with God”). In this remarkable, one-of-a-kind wrestling match, God finally humbled Jacob, this man who, for the first time in his life, was completely overmatched. Jacob was left with a permanent injury in his hip, an ever-present reminder—a “scorch mark,” if you will— to show him that God was truly the Master and he, Jacob, was the servant.

After this “mountaintop” experience, one might have expected to see a completely different man, a “new Jacob.” For by now God had given Jacob a double inheritance through Isaac’s blessing, and God had reaffirmed this promise to Jacob both in his dream at Bethel and later at the river Jabbok, where Jacob wrestled with God. Moreover, God had also promised to protect Jacob. In response to Jacob’s prayer for help against his brother, He even softened Esau’s angry heart. But when Jacob saw Esau approach, Jacob lost his nerve, and his trust in God’s protection went, so to speak, right out the window.

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT 

While I have not experienced the trauma Jacob inflicted on his family and himself through his manipulation and now fear, I can relate to his lack of trust in God when facing the unknown. Instead of peace, anxiety colors my thoughts and behavior. Like Jacob, I forget God’s past and present faithfulness. Such anxiety leads to sinful decisions and disobedience. If you are facing fearful circumstances, through biblical counsel, prayer, and the Scripture, you must make a decision that you know will most likely lead to pain, consider these actions. Remember God’s past faithfulness and repent of allowing fear to root in your heart. Remember God’s grace, perhaps making a list every morning, trusting gratitude to be an antidote to your apprehension. Do not reject biblical counsel if it goes against your emotional desires. Share your story with full transparency with your biblical counselor, even admitting to sinful choices and disobedience if necessary, your own or those of others. If you sense flaws in the counsel, ask another trusted counselor for their advice. Surrender to God’s purposes, trusting Him to lead you step by step. 

Maybe you've taken a detour. Maybe you settled in a place God never intended for you. But hear this: detours don't disqualify you. God still calls you back.

God doesn't need you to be perfect. He invites you to come home, just as you are.

PRAYER

Father, I’ve taken detours. I’ve lingered in places You never called me to stay. Thank You for calling me back. Give me the courage to leave idols behind and return to worship.

MORE…

Adapted from Treasures of Faith by Chuck and Sharon Betters with permission from P&R Publishing

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