REBECCA’S WELL: Jacob Prays For Deliverance From Esau
- Wednesday, 16 May 2012 17:33
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By Dr. Rebecca R. Rivka
“And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my Father Issac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee; I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou has shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.”
Cunning, deceitful Jacob had taken brother Esau’s birthright (Gen. 25:33) and his blessing (Gen. 27:27-40). Now he was about to meet his brother for the first time in 20 years and he was frantic with fear. Remembering his spiritual roots, ´Jacob began to pray. We should always pray and not faint. When tough situations arise we can always count on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is right on time. God never fails. Jesus comes and breaks the tempter’s power. We see ourselves for whom we really are. That was Jacob, seeing “God face to face” (Gen. 32:30).
We can never see God until we see ourselves, naked of all defenses and humbled before the cross of Christ. It is at this point that healing can take place and we begin to grow as whole personalities. Jacob prevailed with God in the struggle, and he was blessed by a change of character. The name Jacob (supplanter) had become Israel (a prince withE God). This was Jacob’s conversion experience. A name change always represents a change in thought.
God had also changed Esau. His bitterness over losing his birthright and blessing was gone and he was content. God does work all things out for good to those who love him. When we have been mistreated, we can feel cheated as Esau did, but we cannot remain bitter. We must take our pain to God in persistent prayer and one day, his miraculous love will transform us into rivers of light.
Dr. Rebecca R. Rivka is (ret.) Professor of Psychology, Norfolk State University. Currently Elder at New Saint John AME Church, Virginia Beach, VA, Reverend E.H. Terrell, Jr., Pastor.