Chronological Reading Plan for Jan 23

Today's readings are Gen 32, 33 & 34. Tomorrow's are Gen 35,36, & 37.

In ch 32, Jacob decides to return to his homeland, the land he was promised (follow the blue line in the map below. He hears his brother is coming and immediately freaks out. BTW, any of us who ever thought they had a dysfunctional family should see we're not able to hold a candle to Jacob in that regard. Every time you turn around, one of them is making a huge mistake and acting fairly immature. In spite of them, God continues to bless them.  Jacob's fears are unfounded, he was just over-thinking and over-worrying things. 

The Jacob Wrestles with some sort of heavenly being The text doesn't ell us exactly who, until later, when we find out it was God. He prevails, but in the sense that he doesn't give up. Jacob is ultimately injured, left powerless with no other option than to cling to God, asking for a blessing. God asks Jacob his name. The man who had to pretend he was his brother in order to gain a blessing, confesses that his name is really Jacob (he who supplants, one who trips up, on that follows). It's a turning point for Jacob. He not only utters his name, he admits to being a supplanter and a man who makes huge mistakes. God gives him a new name, Israel (one that prevails with God). It's a new beginning for Jacob but we will see that this new beginning is far more a process than ti is an event. 

Jacob's reunion with Esau goes well. They are both so rich, Esau decides to move, leaving Jacob with the land promised by Abraham. One of the locals rapes Leah's daughter Dinah. In order to avoid war, they ask Jacob's sons for a truce and an agreement to intermarry with Jacob's tribe. Jacob's sons, mindful of their father's caution against marrying the people of the land, trick them and defeat them.