SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11:21 NIV By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
THOUGHT: Jacob gets the blessing (see yesterday’s devo) for which he has striven, but his life continues to be colored by striving and frequent deceit to gain what he longs for. His own sons follow suit, fighting favoritism by selling Joseph down the river. But here, at the end of life with his family saved from famine and peace restored, Jacob is doing what his father did, finding a blessing for both sons of one of his own sons – and worshipping God is top of mind.
The Bible is the only holy book I know of that displays the faithfulness of God by telling the stories of less-than-perfect men and women. God gives Jacob a new name after a wrestling match where Jacob won’t give up without a blessing. Sound familiar? His new name is “Israel,” (Gen. 32:28) an unknown word which many scholars interpret as “wrestles with God.” Would you pick a name like that for a treasured child? Likely not, but God does, and shows himself willing to wrestle with the likes of us too.
PRAYER: Oh God, I worship you – many times because you’ve wrestled with me and shown me your love is not dependent on my perfection. Thank you. And thank you for these stories that encourage me to stay on the journey of faith until my dying day.
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