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{{DOD-January}}
[[Jacob]]'s 20 years of servitude end in chapter 31, but he must still go back to Bethel and make things right with [[God]]. The next several chapters record several crucial experiences in [[Jacob]]'s life, as he makes his way from Laban's house to Bethel. In them we see illustrations of the conflict between flesh and [[Spirit]] , the old life and the new.
Esau was coming, and [[Jacob]] was about to meet his forgotten past! Would Esau forgive him or fight him? Would [[Jacob]] lose everything he had schemed for? How tragic it is when the past catches up with a man. But before [[Jacob]] met Esau, he experienced three other meetings.
In chapter 32:1-20 [[Jacob]] met [[God]]'s angels, and in verses 21-26 he actually met the [[Lord]] and wrestled with Him. The battle lasted all night, and only after wrestling with the [[Lord]] could [[Jacob]] say, "Not my will but thine be done." In verses 27-32 [[Jacob]] finally faces himself, confesses his [[sin]], and yields himself completely to the [[Lord]]. It was here that [[God]] gave him his new name, "[[Israel]]," which means "a prince with [[God]]," or "a [[God]]-governed man.".
To be broken by [[God]] is to have power with [[God]]. [[God]] gave [[Jacob]] a new beginning, a new power. [[Jacob]] was now walking in the [[Spirit]] rather than in the flesh. This was illustrated by a new walk, for now [[Jacob]] limped. He had been broken by [[God]], but that limp was a mark of power, not of weakness.
Verse 31 indicates the dawn of a new day, as the sun rose and [[Jacob]], with [[God]]'s help, limped out to meet Esau. Their meeting takes place in chapter 33, and resulted in each forgiving the other and each going his separate way.
It is sometimes difficult to understand situations that come into our lives as [[Christians]]. But we must believe that our heavenly Father knows what is best for us. If we will totally yield our lives to Him, then everything that happens will bring honor and glory to Him. Give [[God]] first place in your life. Satan would have us believe there is not enough time for [[Bible]] reading, prayer, and [[Bible]] memorization. Don't let him deceive you with this lie! For I have found in my own life that when I give [[God]] the priorities of my life, there is time for everything!