seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 32:7 In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups,[c] and the flocks and herds and camels as well. 8 He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group,[d] the group[e] that is left may escape.”
9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. 11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”
9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. 11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”
c. Genesis 32:7 Or camps
d. Genesis 32:8 Or camp
e. Genesis 32:8 Or camp
Has Jacob ever talked to God before? I know that God revealed his Angels to Jacob. I know God talked to Jacob. I think this is the first time Jacob has actually talked to God. He must have been really really really afraid of Esau.
As I recall, Rebekah told Jacob she would send for him when things calmed down. It's been 20 years and Rebekah never sent for him! No wonder he decided it was time to be talking to God.
What a pickle.... he angered Laban, so he couldn't go back. If he continues on... he's walking right into his brother's territory.
This is what studylight.org has to say about the prayer.
After first reacting in fear and unbelief, Jacob did the right thing. He went to the Lord and prayed a good prayer, humble, full of faith, thanksgiving, and Gods Word.
His prayer had thanksgiving. Jacob understood he was not worthy of what God did for him or what he was asking God to do, but he relied on what God promised and not upon his own worthiness.
His prayer had faith. He boldly asked God to do something, and gave humble grounds for why the Lord should fulfill His word.
Jacobs prayer had Gods word (what God said in Genesis 31:3). He also quoted Gods promises I will surely treat you well (remembering God words in Genesis 28:13-15).
Many of our prayers fall short because there is none of Gods Word within them. Often there is none of Gods Word in them because there is little of Gods Word in us. Jacob remembered what the Lord had said to him.
His prayer had thanksgiving. Jacob understood he was not worthy of what God did for him or what he was asking God to do, but he relied on what God promised and not upon his own worthiness.
His prayer had faith. He boldly asked God to do something, and gave humble grounds for why the Lord should fulfill His word.
I can imagine that Jacob was just trying anything that might work. It's human. I can also imagine God's smile when Jacob actually came to Him for help. Up until this point, the conversations between God and Jacob seem to have been all one sided. I can imagine just how happy God was when Jacob actually opened up and talked to God for a change. Asking for help is not a bad thing. It's smart to ask someone who can actually help. I'm sure Jacob didn't know how this would turn out.... Jacob might have even been concerned that the stress had him seeing things that weren't there.... like a camp of Angels or a ladder to Heaven.
