January 12, 2026 - Genesis 30-33

More shenanigans going on with Jacob, his wife Rebekah, and concubines.  Rachel was barren and so, Jacob had a son, Dan, by Rachel’s servant, Bilhah, and a second son, Naphtali.  And then, there’s Leah and Zilpah.  Jealousies, competitions, broken relationships.  Oh my, how could any of this ultimately work out for good?!  After all this family intrigue and the birth of children, Jacob was ready to return home, and he said to Laban, Rebekah’s father, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country” (30:25).  And then, more plotting and more intrigue as Jacob and Laban went at it before, ultimately, entering into a covenant and Jacob returning home.  All was well, now, right?  Nope.  Remember Jacob’s trickery and deceit and Esau’s loss?  Jacob was scared to death of his brother, thinking that Esau would see to kill him for his treachery.  In the night, Jacob wrestled with God who renewed his promises and, as Jacob came toward Esau, “Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (33:4).  The covenant promises renewed and brothers reconciled, the story continues toward the conclusion God intends.

My soul, weigh not thy life

Against thy heavenly crown;

Not suffer Satan's deadliest strife

To beat thy courage down.

With prayer and crying strong,

Hold on the fearful fight,

And let the breaking day prolong

The wrestling of the night.

The battle soon will yield,

If thou thy part fulfill;

For strong as is the hostile shield,

Thy sword is stronger still.

Thine armor is divine,

Thy feet with victory shod;

And on thy head shall quickly shine

The diadem of God.   -- Leonard Swain (1858)