People Won't Always Understand
As I read through Genesis 32 I couldn't but help notice how different Jacob was when he was preparing to return to his homeland than he was when he left. When he left he was a liar and deceiver and was basically running for his life. Now, years later, he is on his way back to his homeland and and when he hears that Esau is on his way to meet him he has great fear and distress and is concerned about his family. His reaction? He prayed!! (Gen. 32:9)
The night before he was to meet Esau after being away for many years, Jacob put his wives, servants and possessions across a steam and then went back to spend the night on the other side alone. There he wrestled with God all night (see verse 30). As a result Jacob's name which meant "he deceives" was change to Israel which means "he struggles with God," and his walk was forever changed. He walked with a limp the rest of his life because of his nightlong struggle.
I wonder what his family and servants thought about that? Did they think it strange that the night before he was walking perfectly normal and now he was limping?
We read in Mark 3 that Jesus certainly was not understood and was often opposed. (Especially in Mark 2, which I read by mistake!!) He was opposed on almost every occasion he healed someone. They took offense at his words, that he was associating with sinners, that he healed on the Sabbath Day, that his followers did not fast, that he told people their sins were forgiven. In Mark 3:20-21 His family came to take charge of him because they said "He is out of his mind."
Jesus was unconventional. Is it possible that in the day we live that God will do things that we consider unconventional? Perhaps a different way of reaching out to people, a way that some people won't understand? Be prepared. I think it is totally possible.
I don't think people understood the change in Jacob. People certainly didn't understand the way Jesus did things. So don't think it strange if people don't understand you. The only thing that is important is that we are different because God has touched us.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Genesis 33, Mark 4, Esther 9-10, Romans 4
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
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