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Day 34 – The Answer Genesis 32:1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God (Elohiym) met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s (Elohiym’s) camp.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim. 3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau, his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 He commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.”’” 6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 Jacob was afraid and distressed; and he divided the people with him, the flocks, herds, and camels, into two companies. 8 He said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.” 9 Then Jacob said, “O God (Elohiym) of my father Abraham and God (Elohiym) of my father Isaac, the LORD (Jehovah) who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. 11 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. 12 For You said, ‘I will treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” 13 So he lodged there that same night and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. 16 Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put distance between successive droves.” 17 He commanded the first one, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?’ 18 then you will say, ‘They are your servant, Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’” 19 So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, “In this manner you will speak to Esau when you find him; 20 and also say, ‘Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.’” For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.” 21 So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp. 22 He arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. 24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” He said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you struggled with God and with men, and prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there. 30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God (Elohiym) face to face, and my life is preserved.” 31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank. God’s name: Elohiym – Mighty God Jehovah – Self-existent, Eternal God’s character: Blesser You face fear many times in your life. When you do, you seek ways to appease your fear, especially when you come face-to-face with the person or thing that caused your fear. Jacob was on his way home. He needed to pass through Edom where Esau lived. He knew Esau intended to kill him, so he let Esau know he was coming, hoping he would be safe because he let him know before he arrived that he was on his way. His servants returned with news that Esau was on his way with four-hundred men. The news sent fear rippling through him. Jacob divided the people into two bands and sent droves of livestock ahead of them as a present to appease Esau’s anger. Then he sent his wives and children across the river Jabbok while he stayed behind and prayed for Elohiym’s favor. When he finished praying, a Man came to him, and Jacob wrestled with Him all night. At daybreak, the Man asked to let Him leave. Jacob wanted to know His name and told Him he wouldn’t let Him go until He blessed Him. The Man asked him why he wanted to know His name. Then the Man touched the inside of his thigh and shrunk it. He then asked Jacob what his name was. When Jacob told Him his name, the Man told him he would no longer be called Jacob, but Israel. Then left him. Jacob then realized he wrestled with Elohiym and didn’t die. As Christians, your enemy always seeks a means to destroy you. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (NKJV) When you face your enemy, you need to do one thing, pray. When Jacob learned his brother was coming with four hundred men, he prayed. Prayer can feel like a wrestling match with Elohiym. You need to know His blessing on your life, and you need to know He will keep you safe no matter what the enemy intends against you. Jacob sent a gift to his brother, hoping it would appease his anger and keep him safe. He prayed and wrestled with Elohiym all night until he got his blessing. What are you facing that sends fear rippling through you? Pray. Let Elohiym know your fears and His promise to keep you safe. When Jacob prayed, he reminded Elohiym of His promise to bring him home. It’s okay to remind Elohiym of His promise to you. When you remind Him of His promises, He will come through for you, every time. As Jacob wrestled with Elohiym, he demanded He bless him. Jacob told Him he wouldn’t let Him go until he received His blessing. What do you need that you are willing to wrestle all night in prayer about? Jacob didn’t give up until Elohiym blessed him. Don’t give up. Pray until you receive your answer. Elohiym will give you an answer and He will bless you. Let’s pray: Father, too often I pray only long enough to make my request. I don’t spend time with You until I get the answer. Help me to pray until I receive Your answer and Your blessing. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 21 February 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.