Day 16

Genesis 32:13–34:31; Matthew 11:7-30; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 3:19-20

JACOB’S FEAR OF his brother, Esau, was front and center today in Genesis. Jacob obeyed God by returning to the land of his birth, but the circumstances were dire. Knowing that Esau and four hundred men were on their way to meet him was daunting. Jacob divided his camp so that if they were attacked, perhaps some could escape.

That night, Jacob wrestled with an unnamed man until daybreak. “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” the man shouted at Jacob, to which Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26).

Jacob received a blessing, but he also received a name change. And this change snaps many of the pieces of the Old Testament thus far into place, clarifying where the road ahead is leading us.

“‘Your name will no longer be Jacob,’ the man told him. ‘From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won’” (Genesis 32:28).

To this point, Jacob had been blessed with eleven sons, given to him by his two wives and their maidservants. He would eventually have a twelfth son. Before this night, those sons were known as the sons of Jacob. But after the name change, we immediately realize that these are Israel’s sons —the children of Israel! And the lineage from each of these sons will become the twelve tribes of Israel. But we’ll have to wait for that story. There are many miles we must travel beforehand.

Today in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus told us,

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

Like Jacob (Israel), we all face times when we do not understand the road in front of us. We also go through seasons when it feels as if we’re wrestling with God. In these times, our heart’s posture is a true measure of our faith. Jesus offered us an extraordinary invitation: We don’t have to navigate our lives to avoid anxiety and hardship. Yes, both will visit each of us from time to time. But we can find rest in Jesus. This means that if we can follow Jesus’ example of humility and gentleness of heart, then we will be walking the pathway that leads to rest for our souls.

MEDITATION:

The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.