Read: Genesis 32:22-32
(expanded verse, all of Genesis 32)
READ
Read the passage slowly. (To find out about Jacob's fear of meeting his brother Esau, whom he tricked many years before, read the expanded passage)
THINK
Read the passage aloud this time and pause after each of the three questions in the text (verses 27, 29). Jacob, whose name means "manipulator," had made elaborate plans to reconcile with Esau in a generous, peaceful way. Then he stayed behind, which was uncharacteristic of such a quintessential deal maker. There with the night sounds and the smell of the brook, Jacob encountered "a man." Was this man an angel, a God-man, Jesus? (It's okay that we don't know for sure)
1. Picture yourself in this passage. Are you Jacob? Are you an invisible bystander watching it all?
2. What moment in this passage resonates wth you most?
+ wanting desperately to be blessed
+ wanting desperately to know more of God
+ other: ________
PRAY
Depending on what resonated with you, pray about what you desperately want from God. To avoid letting your mind wander, try writing down your prayer, listening for words from God in response.
LIVE
Sit quitely before God, imagining the night sounds and the smell of running water. Try to be comfortable with God in this wild atmosphere. What does it feel like to trust and to reveal the desires of your heart? Be honest if you feel uncomfortable. What would you like it to feel like? Rest in that.
- Taken from "The Message // Remix : Solo", pg. 2
(Jono posting for Jon Tsui)
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2 comments:
1. I picture just the scene happening ahead in front of me. It's kinda dark and hard to make out the figures as they're wrestling on the ground.
2. What resonates? The struggle, I suppose. When you're on the ground trying to make someone tap out... it's a hard thing to do.
Although I have to wonder, why does Jacob wrestle with this guy and ask this man to bless him? What on earth would possess him to do such a silly thing?
Wrestling for fun, I can understand, but I've never wrestled with anyone for the sake of having this person bless me. Very interesting.
My prayer is for God to bless me with the wisdom needed to shoulder my responsibilities and to lead my church congregation and the committee & CCF on the whole.
- Jono
- read it, just formulating the thoughts in my mind.
-jacky
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