Jacob had two wives...
Illustration
Object:
Jacob had two wives, which can be a problem for those who follow scripture literally. Even the maidservants could be used, as when Abraham used one when he thought his wife was too old. Our laws do not permit polygamy, except in Utah, but is it all right to have a mistress on the side? I knew a pastor who had a serious relationship with a woman before his divorce was final. He felt that if gays could live together unmarried, then why can't he? We have to be careful how we treat Old Testament scripture, which even commanded genocide in some cases.
It is not uncommon that, like Jacob, we don't recognize God when he comes to us. He may take on another shape. How many did not recognize God when he came to earth as Jesus? We have to keep aware of what goes on around us and who comes to us. It could be God in disguise.
It is interesting that Jacob wrestled with "God" and didn't seem to recognize him until the fight was over. (Another question that is hard to answer is, Why did God have to ask Jacob what his name was?) It shows that if we are stubborn enough, we can even stop God from working in our lives! But then God gave him something to remember that fight: the damage to his hip. He had that hip problem the rest of his life to remind him that you shouldn't fight God -- or it looks like anyone else who could be God in disguise! You never know! It says he could have died after seeing God face-to-face! God refused to give Jacob his earthly name also, but Jacob figured out who it was.
God gave Jacob a new name that day because of his struggle with God. Now he became Israel, a name that has survived even today! There are so many of God's actions puzzling to us. Some we will never discover until we have gone home to be with him. Until then we must be vigilant and watch for the Lord acting in our life -- especially if we don't want a bad hip to endure.
It is not uncommon that, like Jacob, we don't recognize God when he comes to us. He may take on another shape. How many did not recognize God when he came to earth as Jesus? We have to keep aware of what goes on around us and who comes to us. It could be God in disguise.
It is interesting that Jacob wrestled with "God" and didn't seem to recognize him until the fight was over. (Another question that is hard to answer is, Why did God have to ask Jacob what his name was?) It shows that if we are stubborn enough, we can even stop God from working in our lives! But then God gave him something to remember that fight: the damage to his hip. He had that hip problem the rest of his life to remind him that you shouldn't fight God -- or it looks like anyone else who could be God in disguise! You never know! It says he could have died after seeing God face-to-face! God refused to give Jacob his earthly name also, but Jacob figured out who it was.
God gave Jacob a new name that day because of his struggle with God. Now he became Israel, a name that has survived even today! There are so many of God's actions puzzling to us. Some we will never discover until we have gone home to be with him. Until then we must be vigilant and watch for the Lord acting in our life -- especially if we don't want a bad hip to endure.
