Gen 33

"The only thing that we fear is fear itself" an elder statesman once said. Thus was the meeting between Jacob and Esau. Both sides have changed and God had moved these two opposites closer together. Jacob was weakened physically from his encounter with God but was stronger spiritually. Still Jacob was cautious when approaching the unknown but he was growing more humble and reliant upon God. Esau accepted and he was also blessed by God and was more passionate about the reconciliation. He ran... and proved that he too was Issac's son by his own compassion. As they traveled, they grew closer and were truly brothers again. Despite the objection, Jacob gave and paid homage to his older brother as he passed through his land but knowing that he passed as a brother and an ally. Still the Bible said that the older will serve the younger and in later books this will hold true. The camp that Jacob finally set up was called Succoth before settling in Shechem which is in the country known as Canaan.

Glad to be back on the right coast and relatively adjusted to the 2 hour time difference. It was nice that Geege met us at the gate after a grueling night of flying and I hope he got some rest. Had a nice time over dinner with Evan and it was nice to catch up with him. Heading down to Delly later this afternoon.

Praise for today: For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice;  the upright will see his face. Ps 11:7

Gen 32

"I'm going home, to a place where I belong" - I'm sure that Jacob wasn't humming that song (because it wasn't written and he doesn't appear like the humming type) especially since he knew that Esau was still there. Prior that, the chapter opens with the Jacob seeing the glory of God in the form of His army of angels. After all that had transpired between them and despite the years that have passed, Jacob knew that he had to face the man that he screwed out of his birthright and the blessing. He knew that he had changed - become more humble and was able to stand on his own and ready for God's purpose. Jacob had accumulated much wealth and a tribe of kids to which to start a nation. What would await him especially since he knew that Esau had 400 trained men which indicated what direction that he took. Still he had no idea what would await him. Discretion still seem to be the best route and he split up his wealth and offered up half of it to appease Esau as a peace offering. Rather than be in the front of the brigade, he chose to stay behind just in case Esau was still in a foul mood. Still that was not enough for God and chose to wrestle him to test Jacob's resolve. The result was that God blessed him and changed his name to be a nation.

What a chapter! While Jacob feared what will Esau do forced God to meet him again to test his resolve. He feared Esau even with God on his side and at his side - angels. At least he was fair in splitting his wealth and not try to screw Esau again in intent. Now with the final test behind him, he was ready to meet his brother. I sometimes am like Jacob when circumstances like this come my way - holding back just in case God doesn't stand with me. What a fool I have been in those circumstances.

Great day yesterday! Went to Valor to see that awesome complex, had lunch at Joe's #3 which was featured in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, saw a spectacular rock display called Garden of the Gods, had my first Colorado pizza at Beau Jo's with the fam in a really nice weather day. Still tough to get used to the thin air but the air is so clean and dry - just bring moisturizers.

Heading home soon but will definitely be back! Glad to see that this area missed a snow storm so that our flights out shouldn't be affected by it. Will spend the night in NJ before heading down tomorrow for Delly.

Praise for today: In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Lord alone, make me live in safety. Ps 4:8

Gen: 31: 22 -52

Once a user, always a user. Seems like Laban's (and his sons') whole world  revolved around Jacob's ability to work and be a "slave" rather than relying on their own abilities. Laban's sons are content when they are not bearing the workload and so is Laban. It seems that the Lord met Laban on the road to give him a warning but it seemed that the idols that governed his life meant more than the Living God that spoke to him. Still he  was admant that he was in the right and that his daughters was the only incentive for him to live. If he was so loving, he had a lousy way of showing it. Still it took an accounting of Jacob's life with Laban and a search by Laban (even though Rachel sticking it to him, which almost cost Rachel her life) that finally put the matter to rest. Jacob told him and the world that God Almighty had already judged and gave the verdict long before this encounter had ever occurred. Still, Laban went back defeated and with his tail between his legs. As for Jacob, he would not take any more wives and sacrificed  to seal the deal.

Great day and time so far in Denver. Went to Harvest and enjoyed their first anniversary as a church and hooked up with some old friends for lunch. Saw the Red Rock Ampitheater and downtown Denver where we had our first taste of bison. Still trying to keep on the Eastern time zone. Noticing the altitude and clearness of the air but the lack of humidity is apparent as well. Gym time this morning  was affected by the air but still got it in. Today visiting Valor HS and hopefully going to Garden of the Gods (weather permitting).

Gen 31: 1:21

Jacob decided that it was time to move on. Laban's sons were grumbling on how they were getting treated and what could be left of their inheritance as Jacob's wealth increased and Laban's attitude towards Jacob was souring as well. The Lord spoke to Jacob and told him to leave. He explained to his wives how his situation had developed and how he was getting screwed by Laban and God's dream and vision for him and his family. Rachel and Leah, not suprisingly, gave a similar view on how Laban had been treating them as well - so there was really nothing keeping them there. Rachel stole the things that were precious to Laban, household idols, and Jacob packed up and left Laban high and dry without telling him where he was going.

Finally, the boy becomes a man and follows his mandate. Jacob is now dependent upon God and what He will provide. His lessons are learned and his character is now formed into what God can use. Often times we need to read the writing on the wall and seek God and his wisdom even when we feel that things are fine.

Looking forward to the weekend and flying out to Denver tomorrow. Tonight is family worship and hopefully I don't get home too late to go.

Praise for today: Your ways, O God, are holy, What god is so great as our God? Ps 77:13

Gen 30

The truly dysfunctional family is the story for c 30. Rather than enjoy and rejoice in the oldest sister's fortune, Rachel was jealous and went as far as blaming Jacob for his sexual prowess. She went as far as giving her maids to Jacob as wives so that she could enjoy the sons born to them rather than through Leah. As a result, 6 sons were born to Leah, 2 to Bilhah and 2 to Zilpah. Rachel was even distraught enough to use "mandrakes". According to the commentary, "Mandrakes were plants. People thought that those plants could help a person to love his or her partner. They thought that the plants could help barren women. The plants would help such women to become pregnant. Rachel had never been pregnant. And she was desperate to have children. This is why she wanted the mandrakes." Clearly, Leah was not the favorite even with Jacob when it meant spending "love and relational time" but she was the most fertile as she produced 6 of the 12 sons that were Jacob's. The Bible usually doesn't record female births but the one of significance (in future chapters) was Dinah. The Lord finally granted Rachel her wish after many years of learning to depend upon God and gave her two sons.

The chapter ends with the parting of Jacob and Laban. Jacob was so trusting in God that he didn't scheme to take the best but rather the blemished as his parting wages. Laban, being the snake that he was, was willing to have one over on Jacob even after Jacob made him wealthy beyond measure. The markings on the cattle that Jacob had were surface at best since God gave him stronger animals as a part of the blessing.

God was in this family despite the strife that existed. He granted blessings not out of their goodness but out of His and the promise.

Another decent day yesterday and hopefully the trend continues. Glad to see that GG got all he needed to get done and will look forward to seeing him in Denver this weekend.

Praise for today: I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Ps 140: 12

Gen 29

I guess the lesson from this chapter is humility and character building. Jacob finally makes it to the home of Laban, his uncle who is a snake of his own proportions. It is not clear whether he was instructed by God in the deception of the 14 years of labor so he can marry off his two daughters but he clearly profitted from the free labor from Jacob. Still he was deceived into marrying the less desirable Leah, the oldest and it was from her that the first four of the twelve tribes of Israel would come. The deception was culturally based since she was veiled and was not revealed until after wedding ceremony was complete. Clearly this was a family with issues, Leah was fertile initially while Rachel was not. Rachel was loved by Jacob while Leah was not. Leah, while she could not garner any love from Jacob received her love from the Lord who heard her cryies and blessed her with four sons.Still the character building was going on in the life of Jacob, who learned to serve instead of scheme and humility rather than pride.

Decent day yesterday so no real complaints, just praise. Glad GG got home ok, and has some home time for things he wants/needs to get done. Also good that Dave's getting his rest and Irene is doing ok.

Praise for today: Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Ps 80:19

Gen 28

The journey from Isaac to Jacob is now complete. He has been summoned by Isaac and the rest of the blessing is revealed later by God. The lineage of Isaac was to be carried by Jacob and not by Esau. Marriage and the sanctity of the lineage was not to be extended to the Canaanites in this fashion and thus Jabob was forbidden to marry a Canaanite woman. He was to go to the land and people that gave him his mother Rebekah. The telling sign that Esau was his own man and not that of his father or of God was that he didn't care who he was marrying and went out of his way to align himself with Ishmael's line.

The ladder aspect was always fascinating to me of how He chose this picture to reveal Himself to Jacob - nevertheless it was effective enough for Jacob to commence his relationship with God and fulfill his mandate and receive the Promise. The important aspect at the end of the chapter was Jacob's decision to tithe out of his poverty not out of his wealth.

Glad to hear that GG is coming home although we won't cross paths until this weekend when I go to Denver. Also glad that things are restored in NJ as well.

Praise for today: The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. Ps 121: 7,8