Genesis 32
Angels of God meet Jacobverses 1-2
And Jacob went on his way – and the angels of God met
him and when Jacob saw them he said
This is God’s host and he called the name of that place Mahanaim
Jacob sends word to Esau of his comingverses 3-5
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother
to the land of Seir – the country of EDOM
And he commanded them saying
Thus shall you speak unto my lord Esau
Your servant Jacob says thus – I have sojourned with Laban
and stayed there until now –and I have
oxen – asses – flocks – menservants
and women servants
and I have sent to tell my lord
that I may find GRACE in your sight
Esau comes with 400 men – Jacob afraidverses 6-8
And the messengers returned to Jacob
saying
We came to your brother Esau
and also he comes to meet you
and FOUR HUNDRED men with him
THEN Jacob was GREATLY AFRAID and DISTRESSED
and he divided the people that were with him
and the flocks – herds – camels into two bands
And said
IF Esau come to the one company – and smite it
THEN the other company which is left shall escape
Jacob praysverses 9-12
And Jacob said
O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac
the LORD who said to me
Return unto your country – and to your kindred
and I will deal well with you
I am not WORTHY of the least of all the MERCIES
and of all the TRUTH
which YOU hast shown to your servant
FOR with my staff I passed over this Jordan
and now I am become two bands
Deliver me – I pray YOU – from the hand of my brother
from the hand of Esau – FOR I fear him
lest he will come and smite me
and the mother with the children
And YOU said
I will surely do you GOOD
and make your seed as the SAND of the sea
which cannot be numbered for multitude
Jacob selects gifts for Esauverses 13-16
And he lodged there that same night
and took of that which came to his hand a
present for Esau his brother
two hundred she-goats – twenty he-goats – two hundred ewes
twenty rams – thirty milk camels with their colts
forty cows – ten bulls – twenty she-asses
and ten foals
and he delivered them into the hand of his servants
every drove by themselves
and said to his servants
Pass over before me
and put a space between drove and drove
First group to give Esau positive messageverses 17-18
And he commanded the foremost – saying
When Esau my brother meets you – and asks you saying
Whose are you? Where go you?
Whose are these before you?
THEN you shall say
They are your servant Jacob’s
it is a present sent unto my lord Esau
and behold also he is behind us
Jacob instructs second and third group to do sameverses 19-21
And so commanded he the second – and the third
and all that followed the droves saying
On this manner shall you speak unto Esau – when you find him
and say you moreover
BEHOLD – your servant – Jacob – is behind us
FOR he said
I will APPEASE him with the present that goes before me
and afterward I will see his face
perhaps he will accept of me
So went the present over before him
and himself lodged that night in the company
Jacob sends family across Jabbokverses 22-23
And he rose up that night and took his two wives
two women servants – eleven sons
and passed over the ford Jabbok
And he took them – and sent them over the brook
and sent over what he had
Jacob was alone and wrestled with JESUSverses 24-29
And Jacob was LEFT ALONE
and there WRESTLED a MAN with him
until the breaking of the day
And when HE saw that HE prevailed not against him
HE touched the hollow of his thigh
and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint
as HE WRESTLED with him
And HE said
Let ME go – for the day breaks
And he said
I will not let YOU go – EXCEPT YOU bless me
And HE said unto him
What is your name
And he said
Jacob
And HE said
Your name shall be called no more Jacob – BUT Israel
FOR as a prince hast you POWER with God
and with men and have PREVAILED
And Jacob asked HIM and said
Tell me – I pray YOU – YOUR name
And HE said
Wherefore is it that you do ask after MY name?
And HE blessed him there
Jacob names place Peniel = face of Godverses 30-32
And Jacob called the name of the place – Peniel
FOR I have seen God face to face
and my life is PRESERVED
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose on him
and he limped upon his thigh
THEREFORE the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
eat not of the sinew which shrank
which is upon the hollow of the thigh – to this day
BECAUSE he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the
sinew that shrank
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to your brother Esau, and also he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him. (4397 “messengers” [mal’ak] means ambassadors, representative, angel, someone who carries a message, one sent, envoy, or diplomat)
DEVOTION: Does it ever seem that the odds are against you? Have you ever been in a situation where there were more against you than for you? I had an occasion as a teenager in Niagara Falls where I was walking home from the Boy’s Club of America. There were two other boys with me as we walked home after dark. There came a gang of boys toward us and one of the boys said run.
So we ran but the group caught up to me as I was running up the stairs of the house. They started hitting me with a baseball bat. One of the boys with me came down the stairs and they ran away from his bat. We were outnumbered and outran. The odds were against us.
There have been many occasions in my life and probably in your life when the odds were against you and all you could do is pray. My incident could have been worse but the LORD spared me serious injuries.
Here we find a larger group coming toward Jacob and he turns to the LORD in prayer. He does what he thinks is best and then goes aside to pray for the LORD to encourage him.
The servants give a report that would scare anyone with common sense. The problem was that Jacob knew the promise of God and yet was afraid. This happens to us too.
When we receive a negative message what is our first reaction? Do we go to the LORD in prayer or do we plot our own course of action and then turn to the LORD?
Our enemy is real. He wants to see us fail. He wants us to trust in our own devices to fight him. This should never happen. Go to the LORD in prayer for answers to any situation to develop in your life.
CHALLENGE: Remember the one man in the hands of the LORD can defeat ten thousand.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which you have showed unto your servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. (2617 “mercies” [checed or hesed] means lovingkindness, kindness, goodness, favor, faithfulness, benevolence, loyal love, devotion, or joint obligation)
DEVOTION: Jacob realized his position with the LORD was not the greatest. He knew that the LORD had promised him protection to the point of his return to his father. He was facing his brother coming with four hundred men. He was expecting a war. He was expecting that his whole family would be killed by a brother who swore revenge for him stealing his birthright and blessing.
Now he is praying to the LORD with a humble spirit. He knew that he was not worthy of the lovingkindness of the LORD. He knew what his life had been like so far.
God had shown him lovingkindness in the past. God had revealed to him what HE would do for him in the future. However, now he was in the present and didn’t see any way out of his present circumstances.
Jacob took after his grandfather who liked to do things ahead of the leading of the LORD. His father did the same. Now God had told him to return to the family. HE had promised protection but Jacob wasn’t sure the LORD could carry out HIS promise.
Have we ever doubted God when HE has promised in HIS Word that HE would do something? Do we do things in the strength of the LORD? Do we do things in our own strength?
Here we have Jacob pleading for deliverance from his past sins. He didn’t want to pay the consequences of cheating his brother. He did the right thing by calling on the LORD in prayer.
In the prayer he reminded the LORD of HIS promises and should have been satisfied with the fact that God never lies. He was a liar so he didn’t expect anyone else including God to not be a liar.
He was wrong. God never lies. God always keeps HIS promises. God can be trusted. We just need to learn how to trust HIM.
CHALLENGE: Once you read the truth about how God works in the lives of believers learn to trust HIM to keep HIS word. This goes against our human nature to trust fully someone we have never seen. Stop trusting your human nature!!!
: 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of day. (79 “wrestled” [’abaq] means to float away, grapple, or struggle)
DEVOTION: Have you ever experienced a time when it seems that you are struggling for an answer from God? Does it seem like you are grappling with a problem that only the LORD can settle? Have you ever gotten up in the morning or after this struggle feeling refreshed that from your reading of the Word of God and prayer you have an answer? Struggles are part of the Christian life.
God is always by our side once we become a follower of HIM. However, sometimes we move away from HIM to do our own thing and HE has to make contact with us through circumstances or people or reading of the Word to get us closer to HIM.
Jacob is about to meet his brother for the first time in over twenty years. He is afraid of what his brother will do to him. He prayed to the God of Abraham and Isaac. He told God in his prayer about HIS promise to him. He reminded God that his seed was supposed to be as the sand of the sea. It was a struggle for Jacob to trust the LORD in a trying circumstance.
We find that we see and hear the promises of God and yet we struggle with them and their fulfillment in our lives. Jacob had promises from God but his brother was coming with four hundred men and he questioned the promises of God. Therefore, there was a struggle going on.
The Bible says that he grappled with a man but Jacob thought he had grappled with God. He thought he has seen God face to face. It is only God who can truly bless us. Here we see that Jacob was blessed with a new name. Who gives us new names? It is only God. The new name was Israel. What does the new name mean? Prince of God!
We find in other places in the Word of God that a messenger of God speaks as if HE was God. These occurrences are called theophanies. This means a visible appearing of DEITY in the Old Testament. We know that only one person of the Godhead ever appears in human form. That is the second person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ. Here we find the pre-incarnate Christ in the Old Testament. HE comes as a baby in Bethlehem at the beginning of the New Testament. HE lives a perfect life. HE dies on the cross for our sins. HE sheds HIS blood for us. We can have an eternal relationship with HIM only through or confession of sin and promise to follow HIM.
Are we presently struggling with God and HIS promises to us as HIS children? IF so, what are we going to do with these struggles? Remember we are not to fear men. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Jacob needed that message. He feared his brother, rather than trust in the LORD. He did pray. He did struggle. However, he did know that God was with him.
CHALLENGE: When we face our struggles do we pray? When we pray do we trust God to answer? Can we understand that we are a child of the king? Our prayers according to HIS will, will be answered!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. (6439 “Peniel” [Panuw’el] means facing God or face of God.)
DEVOTION: Jacob realizes who he was wrestling with. He was wrestling with the LORD. He had to stop being a schemer and become someone who was a God-governed man. He had to confess who he was before he wrestled with God and God won. He had to change his walk to walking in the Holy Spirit. He had a limp after wrestling with God.
God wrestles with each individual to get them to the point where they realize that they were walking under their own power instead of HIS power. Only after someone confesses their sin and begins to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit can they have victory.
Remember this doesn’t mean that you will never sin again but it means that you are more dependent on the LORD for power to overcome our enemy. The LORD is not ending our life but giving it a new beginning.
We have a new name written in heaven once we become a follower of Jesus Christ. It is under that name that we can walk in the Holy Spirit. It is in that name that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Old things are pasted away behold all things become NEW!!
Walk as a new creature in Christ. Our steps will be in tune with the LORD. We will not be able to see God in all HIS glory until we meet HIM after death. Jesus Christ came in the form of a man when HE wrestled Jacob.
CHALLENGE: HE came in the form of a man when died on the cross. HE will come in all HIS glory at HIS second coming and every eye will see HIM.
:31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. (6760 “halted” [tsalaʿ] means to limp, be lame. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship].)
DEVOTION: It was just dawning on the morning after the greatest wrestling match in history. Jacob, a man, had wrestled all night with the angel of the Lord, and had not been able to get a pin. Jacob was a man who was accustomed to getting his way, whether by hook or by crook (and he had done a fair amount of each). God finally got Jacob in an impossible situation that he was not able to get out of.
For most of us, we wish we did not ever have to go through difficulties. When they come our way, we fight with them like Jacob did! We ask God why it was that He allowed us to have difficulties in the first place (as if we were good enough that we did not deserve to have them). And we continue to wrestle with God to seek to convince Him to let us out of them on our own terms.
Paul had a similar problem. It was his “thorn in the flesh.” He asked God three times to remove it (2 Corinthians 12:7). God’s response was to leave Paul with the thorn in the flesh so that Paul would be humbled, and so that Paul would learn that God’s grace was sufficient for him in the circumstances which God had placed him in. This must have been a painful lesson for a man like Paul as well.
So, after dislocating his hip, Jacob awoke to the morning sun with a new limp. This was to be a limp that would last for the rest of his life (otherwise there would have been no need to instruct his descendants about it). He was probably thinking, “Just what I needed right before meeting with Esau—a limp where I cannot run away!” Yet God was in the process of blessing Jacob through this limp in a way which would not have occurred if he had not allowed Jacob to wrestle with him. This would be the limp and painful walk which would make Jacob into Israel, one who wrestled with God and was blessed as a result of learning to depend on God in the midst of hardship.
CHALLENGE: Trust God to use your hardships and difficulties today for His glory! (BM)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Jacob’s prayer for deliveranceverses 9-12
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Abrahamverse 9
Isaacverse 9
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God (Elohim)verses 1, 2, 9, 28
God’s hostverse 2
God of Abrahamverse 9
God of Isaacverse 9
LORD (Jehovah)verse 9
Promise to do well for Jacobverses 9, 12
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Man – Theophany (Jesus Christ)verses 24-29
God (Elohim)verse 30
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angels verse 1
Angels of Godverse 1
God’s hostverse 2
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Mahanaim = Two hosts or campsverse 2
Esauverses 3-8, 13, 17, 18, 19
Land of Seir
country of Edom
four hundred men
appease
Labanverse 4
Abrahamverse 9
Isaacverse 9
Ford Jabbokverse 22
Wrestled with Jesus Christverse 24
change of name to Israelverse 28
Peniel = The face of Godverse 30
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Afraidverse 7
Distressedverse 7
Fearverse 11
Smiteverse 11
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Graceverse 5
Merciesverse 10
Truthverse 10
Servantverse 10
Deliveranceverse 11
Goodverse 12
Promiseverse 12
Blessverses 26, 29
Power with Godverse 28
Preservedverse 30
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Jacobverses 1-32
Sent messengers to Brother Esau
Prayer to the LORD
Divides up his family to meet Esau
Took two wives, two womenservants, his eleven children
Alone – wrestled with Christ
Blessing from Christ
Change of name to Israel
Place called Peniel
Seen God face to face
Preserved
Children of Israel (first time)verse 32
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
Most significant is the fact that, according to this narrative, Jacob had emerged victorious in his struggle: “You have struggled with God and man and have overcome” (v.28). Jacob’s victory, even in his struggle with God, came when, as the text says, the angel “blessed him” (v.29). The importance of Jacob’s naming the site “Peniel” (v.30) is that it identified the one with whom Jacob was wrestling as God. Jacob said, “I saw God face to face” (v.30). Jacob’s remark did not necessarily mean that the “man” (ʾish) with whom he wrestled was in fact God. Rather, as with other similar statements (e.g., Judg 13:22), when one saw the “angel of the Lord” it was appropriate to say that he had seen the face of God (but cf. Hos 12:2–4). (Sailhamer, J. H. (1990). Genesis. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 210). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
32:26–29. Nevertheless, though crippled and unable to win, Jacob clung to his Assailant for a blessing. Then both the identity of the Assailant and the significance of the fight dawned on Jacob. Once he realized who his Assailant was (v. 28) Jacob held on resolutely, pleading for a blessing. It is significant that in response to Jacob’s request for a blessing the Man asked … What is your name? When one remembers that in the Old Testament one’s name is linked to his nature, the point becomes clear: Jacob’s pattern of life had to be radically changed! In saying his name, Jacob had to reveal his whole nature. Here the “heel-catcher” was caught, and had to confess his true nature before he could be blessed.
The blessing took the form of a new name—Israel. This name probably means “God fights,” as the popular etymology signifies. The explanation was then given that Jacob had fought with God and with men. It is easy to comprehend his having fought with men but that he fought “with God” is more difficult to understand. Throughout Jacob’s entire life he had been dragging God’s blessing out under all circumstances for his own use, under “his own steam.” He was too self-willed and too proud to let the blessing be given to him.
So “God fights” was now his name. This meant, first, that God chose, because of the patriarch’s stubbornness and pride, to fight against him. Second, it meant that God would fight for Israel.
Jacob’s new name would remind him and others of this fight in which he had overcome. These words were full of hope to the Israelites. If one could contend successfully with God, he could then win the battle with man. Thus the name “God fights” and the explanation that Jacob had “overcome” obtained the significance of a promise for the nation’s forthcoming struggles. (Ross, A. P. (1985). Genesis. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 81). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Jacob met himself (vv. 27–32). More than anything else, Jacob wanted the blessing of the Lord on his life; and for this holy desire, he’s to be commended. But before we can begin to be like the Lord, we have to face ourselves and admit what we are in ourselves. That’s why the Lord asked him, “What is your name?” As far as the Genesis record is concerned, the last time Jacob was asked that question, he told a lie! His father asked, “Who are you, my son?” and Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn” (27:18–19, nkjv).
The Lord didn’t ask the question in order to get information, because He certainly knew Jacob’s name and that Jacob had the reputation of being a schemer and a deceiver. “What is your name?” meant, “Are you going to continue living up to your name, deceiving yourself and others; or will you admit what you are and let Me change you?” In the Bible, receiving a new name signifies making a new beginning (17:4–5, 15; Num. 13:16; John 1:40–42), and this was Jacob’s opportunity to make a fresh start in life.
The new name God gave him was “Israel,” from a Hebrew word that means “to struggle”; but scholars aren’t agreed on what the name signifies. Some translate it “one who wrestles with God” or “God strives” or “let God rule.” The explanation in Genesis 32:28 is that Jacob had gained power because he prevailed. He lost the battle but won the victory! By seeking God’s blessing and finally being weakened and forced to yield, he had become a “God-empowered prince.” Like Paul, who had his own battle to fight, Jacob became strong only when he became weak (2 Cor. 12:1–10).
G. Campbell Morgan called Jacob’s experience “the crippling that crowns” and interpreted “Israel” to mean “a God-mastered man.” I’m inclined to agree with him. When God rules our lives, then He can trust us with His power; for only those who are under His authority have the right to exercise His authority. While at home, Jacob had served himself and created problems; and for twenty years he served Laban and created further problems, but now he would serve God and become a part of the answer.
Once again Jacob gave a special name to a significant place, this time Peniel [Penuel, Gen. 32:31], which means “the face of God.” He thought that seeing God’s face would bring death, but it actually brought him new life. It was the dawning of a new day for Israel/Jacob (v. 31): He had a new name; he had a new walk (he was limping); and he had a new relationship with God that would help him face and solve any problem, if only he would exercise faith. The great test was about to come, for Esau had arrived on the scene.
Now Jacob was ready for the third encounter: to meet Esau. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Be authentic (pp. 58–60). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
32:28 no longer … Jacob, but Israel. Jacob’s personal name changed from one meaning “heel-catcher” or “deceiver” to one meaning “God’s fighter” or “he struggles with God” (cf. 35:10). with God and with men. An amazing evaluation of what Jacob had accomplished, i.e., emerging victorious from the struggle. In the record of his life, “struggle” did indeed dominate: 1) with his brother Esau (chaps. 25–27); 2) with his father (chap. 27); 3) with his father-in-law (chaps. 29–31); 4) with his wives (chap. 30); and 5) with God at Peniel (v. 28). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ge 32:28). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 28. And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, &c.] That is, not Jacob only, but Israel also, as Ben Melech interprets it, or the one as well as the other; or the one rather and more frequently than the other: for certain it is, that he is often after this called Jacob, and his posterity also the seed of Jacob, though more commonly Israel, and Israelites: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed: this is given as a reason of his name Israel, which signifies a prince of God, or one who as a prince prevails with God; which confutes all other etymologies of the name, as the upright one of God, the man that sees God, or any other: he now prevailed with God in prayer, and by faith got the blessing, as he had prevailed before with Esau and Laban, and got the better of them, and so would again of the former: hence some render the word, and shalt prevail: and indeed this transaction was designed to fortify Jacob against the fear of his brother Esau; and from whence he might reasonably conclude, that if he had power with God, and prevailed to obtain what he desired of him, he would much more be able to prevail over his brother, and even over all that should rise up against him, and oppose him; and this may not only be prophetical of what should hereafter be fulfilled in the person of Jacob, but in his posterity in future times, who should prevail over their enemies, and enjoy all good things by the favour of God: for it may be rendered, thou hast behaved like a prince with God, and with men, or, over men thou shalt prevail. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 219). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law. (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.)
We don’t truly see ourselves until first we see the Lord. “What is your name?” (v. 27, nkjv) was the question that forced Jacob to confess his true self—“Jacob, the schemer.” Once he faced himself and confessed his sin, Jacob could be changed. God gave him a new name—“Israel, prince with God” or “a God-governed man.” The way to have power with God is to be broken by God. God also gave him a new beginning and a new power as he began “walking in the Spirit” and not in the flesh. This was illustrated by a new walk, for now Jacob limped. He had been broken by God, but his limp was a mark of power and not weakness. Verse 31 indicates the dawning of a new day, as the sun rose and Jacob limped out to meet Esau-with God’s help! (Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
FAITH
by Anne R. C. Neale
Miracles do happen but you have to have FAITH,
Invite Jesus into your heart and ask Him for something,
But remember, you must have true Faith to receive miracles,
Invite Jesus into your heart with true sincere faith, He is the Almighty King
True Faith is an allegiance or duty to a person,
A belief in with a pure trust and loyalty to God,
A firm belief in something with complete trust,
Something that is believed in strongly on earth’s sod.
So many times, we walk through life with faltering faith,
We need to keep focused on our Faith every day,
Miracles do happen and they happen all the time,
We must always be sincere and dutiful with strong Faith too as we pray.
Nehemiah 6
The work on the wall is completed.
INSIGHT
Nehemiah resists the efforts of the adversaries to discourage him or distract him from working on the wall. He is convinced that he is doing the right thing, and he steadfastly resists the interference. The Old Testament often has a literal illustration of a spiritual truth that is explained in the New Testament. In Ephesians 6:11, we read that we are to “put on the whole armor of God”: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Once these are in place, we “resist”–“stand firm!” (Quiet Walk)
THE KINGDOM OF GOD, PART 1
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.
Luke 17:20
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.” So, then, how does it come? What are the forms of the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God comes, and came, with the very presence and power manifested by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. There is a wonderful illustration of that in Luke 11:14-20: “And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, shall they be your judges. But if I wi th the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”
Now that is what I mean. The kingdom of God came when the Son of God was in this world. The kingdom of God is a manifestation of the power of God, a manifestation of the fact that God is superior to the elements of nature, that He is superior also to the devils and to everything that is evil. The kingdom of God is God’s reign, and when Christ was here on earth, and when He worked His miracles and manifested His marvelous powers, He said, “This is the kingdom of God.”
A Thought to Ponder: The kingdom of God is God’s reign.
(From The Kingdom of God, pp. 56-57, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Exceeding Greatness
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.” (Ephesians 1:19)
There are a number of scriptural superlatives that convey something of the tremendous magnitude of our great salvation. These are marked by the adjective “exceeding,” which in the Greek implies essentially boundless, surpassing dimensions of the attributes it describes.
First of all, as our text implies, His power available to us is one of exceeding greatness. Its magnitude is measured by the power required to bring Christ back from death and Hades.
Consider also the measure of His grace, “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). His grace has saved us when we were dead in sins, but this is only a small token. In the ages to come, we will experience His grace as one of exceeding riches.
Then there is the wonderful peace of God. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). In this verse, the word “passeth” is the same word. Paul is saying that God’s peace is one exceeding understanding.
Finally, consider His glory. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The future eternal glory is one of exceeding weight, or abundance.
Thus, the infinite blessings and resources of our salvation in Christ are described as providing the power of surpassing greatness, the grace of surpassing richness, the peace which surpasses all understanding, and the eternal glory of surpassing abundance! All of this is freely available “to us-ward who believe.”
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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