1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,360 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and he said, thy name shall be 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:08,600 Speaker 1: called no more Jacob but Israel. For as a prince, 3 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:12,960 Speaker 1: hast thou power with God and with men, and hast 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:19,079 Speaker 1: prevailed Genesis thirty two, twenty eight. Dear God, as I 5 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:22,280 Speaker 1: reflect on my life, thank you Lord for the gift 6 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 1: of reconciliation and forgiveness. Thank you that even in my 7 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: wrong doings you produce grace moments for me. Like Jacob 8 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: and Genesis thirty two and thirty three, I choose to 9 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 1: believe the words of your angels that declare that here 10 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: is the Lord's place. I declare that my life is 11 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,919 Speaker 1: the Lord's place. I declare that my business is the 12 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: Lord's place, and that my relationships are in the Lord's place. Therefore, 13 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: I will not be afraid of seasons. When I feel 14 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: I am wrestling for a new identity, a new blessing, 15 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 1: and a new beginning. I confess that I will hold 16 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,760 Speaker 1: on to you God until I receive my newness, and 17 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 1: I will not let go even after you bless me. 18 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 1: You are my waymaker, and you are the God that 19 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 1: makes old things new. Thank you Lord, that even in 20 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 1: the midst of dysfunction, you still allow your glory to 21 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 1: settle my differences and bring restoration to my life. Thank 22 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: you for a new name of victory and a new 23 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:40,479 Speaker 1: purpose for my life, filled with all your many blessings 24 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: in Jesus' name. Amen, thanks for making prayer a priority 25 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: in your life. To hear the Bible come to life. 26 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: Stay tuned for the Bible in a Year brought to 27 00:01:54,440 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: you by Bible in a Year dot com. 28 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 2: You are Israel. Before this story, we learned of Jacob 29 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 2: fleeing the service of Laban. He packed his family and 30 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: traveled back to Canaan. However, Laban would not let Jacob go. 31 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 2: Jacob and Laban bore their souls before one another, sharing 32 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 2: the anger that rested in both their hearts. Eventually, the 33 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: two made peace and Laban sent Jacob on his way. 34 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:36,240 Speaker 2: Now we will learn about Jacob entering into his homeland 35 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 2: once again. Although he feared the wrath of his brother 36 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 2: Esau wrestling with God, Jacob will cling to the blessings 37 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,959 Speaker 2: of God and get his name changed inspired by the 38 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 2: Book of Genesis. 39 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 40 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. Previously, we heard the story 41 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 3: of how Jacob fled from Laban, man who had wronged 42 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:05,240 Speaker 3: and deceived Jacob for many years. In the end, the 43 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 3: two men made peace, and Laban let Jacob go to Canaan, 44 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 3: the land of Jacob's father, the land of Promise, and 45 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 3: Jacob took with him his wealth and a large family. Today, 46 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 3: we'll see how Jacob enters his former homeland and seeks 47 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 3: reconciliation with his brother Esau. If you remember their story, 48 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,800 Speaker 3: it was Jacob who was the cheater and trickster in 49 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 3: that relationship, and when he fled more than twenty years before, 50 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 3: Esau was filled with rage and murderous intent. As you 51 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 3: listen to this passage of scripture, imagine the fear with 52 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 3: which Jacob stepped into this dangerous territory to face his 53 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 3: brother Esau. Before he encounters Esau, He's going to face 54 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 3: another man. But this is not just any man, and 55 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 3: he isn't a stranger, as Jacob will discover. It is 56 00:03:56,920 --> 00:04:00,760 Speaker 3: an encounter Jacob must have before he faces esauw and 57 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 3: it will be a life changing turning point in his 58 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 3: life and future. So pay close attention. As Jacob and 59 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 3: Esau finally face each other again, will there be bitterness 60 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:17,600 Speaker 3: and bloodshed or renewal and reconciliation. Let's listen to God's 61 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 3: word and find out. 62 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 2: A familiar breeze blew through the valley below Jacob. The 63 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 2: sweet summer air caressed the plains, causing the grass to dance. 64 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 2: Jacob smiled and turned his face towards the sun. He 65 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 2: was home again, still a few miles away from Canaan. 66 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 2: He then turned towards the hill he had set camp on. 67 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: Angels of the Lord had met him there already. Jacob 68 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 2: knew that something holy and peculiar was taking place. This 69 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 2: is God's camp, Jacob acknowledged. The last time Jacob was there, 70 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:56,839 Speaker 2: he had run away in fear of his brother Esau. 71 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 2: Esau had vowed to kill Jacob, so he left in 72 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 2: hope that his brother's anger would subside. Jacob sent messengers 73 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: to go before him, saying, I have sojourned with our 74 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 2: uncle Laban, and have been there until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, 75 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 2: servants that I wished to share with you. I say 76 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 2: all these things to find favor in your sight. Jacob's 77 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 2: servants had sent Esau the message and waited on the 78 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 2: outskirts of his land to see what his response would 79 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 2: be around the corner of the canyons. The messengers saw 80 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:37,840 Speaker 2: Esau coming out to meet with Jacob. Only behind him 81 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 2: was four hundred armed men. A great fear fell upon Jacob. 82 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:46,239 Speaker 2: He remembered how wild of a man Esau was, filled 83 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 2: with power and tact Jacob did not have the strength 84 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 2: nor the men to defend himself. Jacob prepared for the worst. 85 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 2: He divided his camp into two parties and sent them 86 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 2: on opposite ends of one another. If Esau came to 87 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 2: destroy one of the camps, the other would be spared. 88 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 2: Jacob trembled before God. Fear was overcoming him, and he 89 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 2: looked to heaven and said, God of my fathers, Abraham 90 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 2: and Isaac, you have told me to return. You desired 91 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 2: for me to be here so that you might bless me. 92 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 2: I am not worthy of your kindness or your provision. Jacob, 93 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 2: for perhaps the first time in his life, felt the 94 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 2: full weight of God's love for him. You have shown 95 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 2: me steadfast love and faithfulness. I began with nothing to 96 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 2: my name except a staff, and now I have two 97 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 2: camps that rely on me. Tears hit Jacob's trembling hands. 98 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 2: Please deliver me from the revenge of my brother. I 99 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 2: fear him, and I fear for all the people here 100 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 2: under my care. But you promised to bless me and 101 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 2: to expand my offspring. I will trust you. Jacob lingered 102 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 2: there for the night. He sent out droves of gifts 103 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 2: of cattle, goats, and other live stock before him to 104 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 2: gain favor with Esau. Yet there was no predicting how 105 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: Esau would receive his gifts, for he pursued Jacob with 106 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 2: four hundred men behind him. That same night, Jacob arose 107 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 2: with his wives and eleven children and sent them across 108 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 2: the stream of Jabok. He sent them away to be safe. 109 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 2: With everything else he had in his possession, Jacob was 110 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 2: left alone until a man sprang up from behind him. 111 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 2: Struggling in the mud and gravel, Jacob wrestled with this 112 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 2: man in the dead of night, sweat and blood dripping 113 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 2: from his body. Jacob fought for his life under the 114 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 2: weight of this unknown stranger. The night drew on and 115 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 2: the sun was beginning to rear its head between the hills. Jacob, 116 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 2: while endeavoring with this man, became increasingly more aware of 117 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 2: his dev nature. His wrestling match was not an assault, 118 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 2: but an invitation. This is God's camp, echoed in his memory. Jacob, 119 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 2: the once timid tent dweller, found himself grappling on the 120 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 2: ground with God himself. Dawn peeked through the trees. The 121 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 2: man saw that he would not prevail against Jacob. He 122 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 2: touched his hip socket and jammed his hip out of 123 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 2: its joint. 124 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 3: Ah. 125 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 2: Jacob screamed and released his legs from around the man. 126 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 2: Yet he clung to him with his arms, refusing to 127 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 2: let go. Let me go, for the day has broken, 128 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 2: the man said. Jacob, who had spent his entire life 129 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 2: making his own luck, was face to face with the 130 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 2: end of himself. He had deceived his brother into selling 131 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 2: his birthright, he had tricked his father into blessing him, 132 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 2: and he had swindled Laban into making him richer. Yet 133 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 2: now Jacob was faced with God himself and had no 134 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 2: means to trick his way into victory. Jacob's eyes closed tightly, 135 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 2: and he flexed his arms firmly to the legs of 136 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 2: this man, and said, I will not let you go 137 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 2: unless you bless me. A slight smile came across the 138 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 2: man's face. What is your name? He asked Jacob? He 139 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 2: shouted in pain. You shall no longer be called Jacob, 140 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 2: he said, but Israel, for you have wrestled with God 141 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 2: and with men and prevailed. Please tell me your name, 142 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 2: Jacob asked, Now a full smile filled his face. Why 143 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 2: is it that you ask my name? He said, and 144 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 2: he blessed him. So Jacob called that place penial, saying 145 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 2: I have seen God face to face, and yet my 146 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 2: life has been spared. The sun's rays reflected off of 147 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 2: the stream beside Jacob, and the warmth of the day 148 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 2: began to dry the bl blood and sweat off his body. 149 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 2: Limping back to his camp, Jacob felt ready for whatever 150 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 2: would come next. With the sun behind him, Jacob gazed 151 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 2: upon the fields below. He could see Esau and his 152 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 2: four hundred men creeping closer and closer. Still filled with 153 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: an exhausted euphoria, Jacob hobbled towards his brother, with his 154 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 2: family traveling behind him. As the two drew nearer, Esau 155 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 2: began running towards Jacob. He ran with fervor and power. 156 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 2: The years had not taken away Esau's strength. Before Esau 157 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,079 Speaker 2: could catch Jacob, he fell to his knees and bowed 158 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 2: before him as a bear would. Esau wrapped Jacob up 159 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 2: in his arms. 160 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:45,079 Speaker 1: And embraced him. 161 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 2: He kissed his neck and wept at the sight of 162 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:51,680 Speaker 2: his twin brother. The years had wiped his bitterness away, 163 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,319 Speaker 2: and all that remained was the affection of two twin 164 00:10:55,440 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 2: brothers united after decades apart. Esau lifted his eyes passed 165 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 2: his brother towards Jacob's family. Who are these with you, 166 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 2: Esau said. Jacob then introduced his family to Esau, and 167 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 2: they embraced his kindred spirits. Why have you sent so 168 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 2: many gifts, Esau asked, to earn your forgiveness, brother, please 169 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 2: take them. Esau refused them at first, but Jacob insisted. 170 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 2: Jacob knew that he had truly wronged his brother and 171 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 2: felt the depths of what he had done. The two 172 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 2: of them embraced again, and Esau forgave Jacob. Esau departed 173 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 2: that same day, and Jacob settled in a place near 174 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 2: Sheikha and built an altar to God called El elohe Israel, 175 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 2: meaning the God of Israel, and Jacob built a new 176 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 2: life for him and his family, a life of flourishing 177 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 2: and love. Though sorrow would not remain a stranger to Jacob, 178 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,199 Speaker 2: God's love was present. 179 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 3: After years of self imposed exile, Jacob is finally going home. 180 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 3: He's now a wealthy man and much older, and he 181 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 3: has a large family. It seems that God's plan to 182 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 3: make a great nation from his family is beginning to 183 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 3: take shape. However, there are matters to be dealt with first, 184 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 3: and Jacob is not expecting to return home to a 185 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 3: hero's welcome. Well, his brother Esau's anger remain or even worse, 186 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 3: could it have grown stronger and more bitter. Jacob had 187 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 3: run in fear from his problems. That's what he always did, 188 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 3: run because he was filled with selfish ambitions and deceptive 189 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 3: in all his ways. We've been there, haven't we. We 190 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 3: know when we have disobeyed God messed up, and then 191 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 3: there comes the time of consequences, the fact that we 192 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:55,840 Speaker 3: can't hide our sin any longer, and it comes time 193 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 3: to face the music. God wants to remind Jacob that 194 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 3: even in this moment, he is not alone, so he 195 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:07,199 Speaker 3: sends angels to meet him on the outskirts of Canaan. 196 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 3: Jacob sends messengers. Theyhead to let Esau know that he's 197 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:14,199 Speaker 3: returned and that he is ready to share his accumulated wealth. 198 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 3: Can you imagine the fear Jacob must have been feeling, 199 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 3: just waiting to see how Esau would react. But notice 200 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:27,199 Speaker 3: at this time, rather than resorting to scheming and cleverness, 201 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 3: Jacob goes to God in prayer. He turns the problem 202 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 3: over to God. Jacob acknowledges God's presence and how unworthy 203 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,959 Speaker 3: he was of the faithfulness and the blessing of the Almighty. 204 00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 3: Then he made his honest petition, openly telling God of 205 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 3: all his fears and reminding God of his promise to 206 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 3: bless the nations through him. So now we're seeing a 207 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 3: much more mature and reverent Jacob than we've seen before. 208 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 3: He's now truly humble and knowing how much he owes 209 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 3: Esau for his treachery, Jacob sends three lead parties ahead, 210 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 3: filled with gifts of livestocks to meet Esau. What he 211 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 3: does next is yet another sign of Jacob embracing the 212 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 3: mantle of leadership and role of protector of his family. 213 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:16,199 Speaker 3: He guides him across the river and then returns alone 214 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 3: to Kem. It's only him, now exposed and vulnerable. That 215 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 3: very night there is a battle, but not with his 216 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 3: estranged brother the Lord himself wrestles with Jacob. Jacob stubbornly 217 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 3: refused to quit or to give up. Even after God 218 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 3: touched his hip and threw it out of socket, Jacob 219 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 3: would not relent or let go of his opponent. This 220 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 3: is one of the most fascinating scenes in all the Bible. 221 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 3: He doesn't recognize this stranger he is wrestling with as God, 222 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 3: but he knows there's something very special about him. In 223 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 3: the Gospel of Luke, we find a story of the 224 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 3: risen Christ walking on the road to Emmaeus. His traveling 225 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:02,160 Speaker 3: companions did not recognize him for who he was, the 226 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 3: Risen Christ, but their hearts were strangely warmed. They knew 227 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 3: something was different. Was Jacob's heart also warmed. Jacob agrees 228 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 3: to only release his opponent if the man will bless him. 229 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 3: He cries out but the blessing of God. But before 230 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 3: God gives him the blessing, he gives him a new name. 231 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 3: And this new name has great significance. Jacob the Cheater 232 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 3: will now be called Israel, the Prince of God, because 233 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 3: he wrestled with God and did not quit. Jacob leaves 234 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 3: that encounter with a brand new name, but also a 235 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 3: limp as a reminder of that night. Forever, when we 236 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 3: truly encounter God, it will change us in ways that 237 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 3: we cannot understand or even possibly sometimes imagine, and it 238 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:53,640 Speaker 3: will bless us in ways we cannot foresee. That very day, 239 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 3: Jacob finally meets Esau and reconciliation occurs. The Lord God 240 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 3: had gone before Jaijacob now Israel. It was not the 241 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 3: shower of gifts that softened Esau's heart, but God's grace. 242 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 3: Jacob is now humble and repentant, making no excuses for 243 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 3: his actions. Esau, for his part, makes no attempt to 244 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 3: take advantage of his upper hand. There's no more need 245 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 3: for hate, no more need for running, no more need 246 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 3: for separation. Now there is peace. The two brothers embrace 247 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 3: and Esau forgives Jacob. As Esau departs, Jacob Israel builds 248 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 3: an altar to remember God's faithfulness. The altar is called 249 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 3: the God of Israel, for that is who God is, 250 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 3: Dear God of Israel and of all nations, the God 251 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 3: and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Thank you for 252 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 3: being the God who wrestles with his children and blesses them, 253 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 3: just as you bless Jacob, for clinging to you. May 254 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 3: you bless us as we turn to you, trust you 255 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:04,680 Speaker 3: and never let go. Thank you for this beautiful story 256 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 3: of unification between brothers and the hope that shines through 257 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:12,639 Speaker 3: into our broken relationships. Help us to trust you to 258 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 3: go before us at our relationships, just as you did 259 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 3: for Jacob and Esau. In Jesus' name, Amen, Thank you 260 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:26,200 Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm 261 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 3: pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot com 262 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:33,720 Speaker 3: app and make prayer a priority in your life. If 263 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:36,400 Speaker 3: you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love. 264 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 3: By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in 265 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 3: someone's life. And if you want more resources on how 266 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:46,879 Speaker 3: to tap into God's power for successful Christian living, be 267 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 3: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God bless This 268 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 3: episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare solution 269 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 3: for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 270 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 4: Welcome to the Pray News podcast, where hope is our 271 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 4: only bias. Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories 272 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 4: happening in the news and offer a Christian perspective. We 273 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 4: won't shy away from the hard topics, and we won't 274 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:21,439 Speaker 4: dilute the hopeful message of Christ. This is more than 275 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:23,560 Speaker 4: a daily brief on the news. It's a way to 276 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 4: be informed and transformed. Listen to Prey News on the 277 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 4: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.