Becoming Complacent With God’s Assurance
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 33, Psalm 30 (NIV)
(Robin Viva Thevathasan, Chairperson of Worship & Music)
READ:
Genesis 33 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Gen 33 comes after Jacob’s night alone wrestling with God. God had renamed him Israel, denoting a changed man who had seen the face of God.
Jacob went forth in front of his retinue, in full assurance of God’s presence with him.
Despite this, he placed his favourites Rachel and Joseph in the rear in order to give them the best chance of escape if needed.
Esau came out to face Jacob with 400 men accompanying him. Esau seemed to need this attendant company as if to broadcast his status. The contrast is made with Jacob’s who were servants, drovers, women and children.
Esau ran to meet Jacob and both embraced and wept with joy – Jacob also with relief and Esau perhaps with grief/shame for the past. God had worked on Esau’s heart (Prov 16:7 “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.”)
The conversation between the two brothers is also contrasting. Jacob spoke several times of God and His goodness to him. Esau made no mention of God (who had also provided for him despite his previous disrespect of his birthright) but was also warm to Jacob (“I have enough”) and the brothers were reconciled. Both brothers showed thankfulness for God’s munificence to them. Jacob explicitly praising God for his goodness and Esau by behaving graciously.
As they parted ways, evidently Jacob took God’s presence for granted. He did his own thing by deceivingly telling Esau that he would follow him to Seir later but in reality he went to Succoth. There he built himself a house and settled there. In so doing, he disobeyed God’s will for him to go to Bethel.
APPLY:
God’s overflowing providence to me is not something that I deserve. I in turn should not take this for granted and should behave graciously, courteously and generously, not in a miserly or cunning manner.
I should also avoid being so assured of God’s presence that I become too comfortable and distanced from His will.
DO:
I will avoid repeating and remembering difficult or touchy past matters in my dealings. Instead, I should remain assured that my loving Heavenly Father who has brought me to where I am, will continue to lead and guide me if I only seek His wisdom at each step of life’s journey.
I will always be wary of becoming too comfortable and complacent.
The Lord’s purpose is better served if my approach or attitude is one of contrition in attitude; humility and submission.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, despite my falling short of what You would want me to be, You have always been so good to me and provided for all my needs, so that I can truly say “I have enough”. Thank you for your continued watch over this your wayward child. Remind me to always seek Your face each day and bend my listening ears to Your still, small voice.
I ask this in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
