No sooner has Jacob finished with one awkward relationship than he is forced to deal with another awkward relationship. After leaving Laban on nearly good terms, Jacob realizes that he is about to confront his brother. Jacob has every reason to believe that Esau will still be furious with him. When they had last parted company Jacob had just stolen Esau’s blessing and inheritance and Esau had sworn that he would kill his brother. However, God had given instruction for Jacob to return to his homeland and for once Jacob was being faithful. However, we still find Jacob scheming to turn the situation so that it will benefit himself.
It amazes me that through all his struggles Jacob has not learned to trust God. I suspect that the story of Jacob wrestling with the man who represents God is an illustration of Jacob’s continual wrestling with trusting God. It appears that faithfulness and trust do not necessarily work hand-in-hand. Jacob was being somewhat faithful in doing what God was calling him to do, however it appears that Jacob did not trust God to provide for him. It almost seems as thought Jacob believes he is walking toward his own death. It takes a great deal of faith to walk toward your own death, but it also shows a complete lack of trust.
In what ways are we being faithful but not trusting God? In my own life I believe that God has called me as a shepherd to lead his people. However, right now I am failing to trust that God has me exactly were he wants me. My focus needs to be on serving God where I am that is how I trust God. When my focus is on where I would like to be I am acting as foolishly as Jacob and not trusting God.
I would encourage all of us to live lives of faithfulness and trust. If we forget either of these components then we are falling short of the attitude God wants us to have, and we are needlessly wrestling with God.
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