Today’s Devotion
Topic: The God of Bethel
(Part 1)
Text: Genesis 31: 13
“I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.” Amen
We make mistakes at times; especially when we try to interpret spiritual things with logic and, by that, apply all manner of tactics to help God bring His Word to pass in our lives. No sooner had we begun, however, than we realise that rather takes us through a systematic process that is authenticated by spiritual law to get us to the place His Word says we must be so that our foundation is firm, and our lives perfectly conformed to His eternal plan.
You see, Rebecca the wife of patriarch Isaac, knew right from conception of her twin boys, that the younger will contend with the older for seniorship and possibly be greater. She also knew that the senior, Esau, didn’t really care about the God of their father Isaac. He mingled with the tribes that God had instructed against. And yes, he even went as far as trading his birthright with his younger brother Jacob for stew.
With all these in mind, the moment Rebecca heard Isaac asked Esau to fetch him a game and prepare his favourite meal so he may bless Esau, Rebecca hatched a plan and made Jacob disguise as Esau, deceiving blind Isaac with a well rehearsed presentation to get the blessings of the firstborn child unto Jacob who was actually the second. Their plan succeeded.
As to whether, that was how God intended things to be or not, we cannot be sure. But three things are for sure:
i. Rebecca clearly didn’t consider how Esau will react once he’s preview of their succeeded strategy to disinherit him.
ii. She may not have understood that the blessing of God doesn’t exist in a vacuum. So that once conferred, the beneficiary can go and sleep and assume everything is going to be alright and easy. Rather, that the very blessing upon them will take them through various processes and situations to build a solid foundation for the blessings they carry. So that they are able to both carry and sustain it; so that it becomes permanent.
iii. Finally, grandma Rebecca may not have considered that with God there can be NO DECEIT and that although His mercies do forgive our diabolical acts of the past, His just nature always brings us back the same place our actions may have offended and broken trust so that we can by remorse amend our ways and move on. That way we are free from all forms of accusations and attacks from the enemy who capitalises on the bitterness against us to afflict.
NOW ESAU GETS TO KNOW OF THE SCHEME THAT HAS SUCEEDED. HE IS ANGRY AND WANTS TO HARM HIS YOUNGER BROTHER. REBECCA ASKS HER SON JACOB TO FLEE TO HER BROTHER LABAN. JACOB IS YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED AND NEVER ADVENTUROUS. HE IS A PEACEFUL TENT DWELLER WHO HAS NEVER BEEN IN THE WILD. HOW WILL HE MAKE THIS JOURNEY? HOW WILL HE SURVIVE IT? HOW WILL THE UNCLE HE’S NEVER MET RECEIVE HIM? WILL HE EVER SEE HIS BELOVED MOTHER AGAIN?
These were possible thoughts running through Jacob’s head as he made that lonely journey. Beloved, maybe the journey of 2017 which has begun is not one that you are necessarily too confident about. Especially for the many ungodly things from the past done, that have accompanied you thus far. Probably, it is the impatience that made you rush into deals and decisions that seem to be costing you heavily now than you ever prepared for; or the indulgence with sin that puts you in complications you cannot break from.
For any such situations, however, ask the Lord to forgive you and have courage from His Word to confront the past. Accept responsibility of your mistakes and pray the Holy Ghost to help you do better this year. Also seek forgiveness from those you may have hurt and forgive where you have been offended. This year, you must encounter your divine destiny and nothing from your past should be a hindrance.
Tomorrow, we will discuss what happened to Jacob as he embarked on this journey to start a new life with his uncle, far from his regular home and people. Make a date. THE GOD OF BETHEL!
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