In today’s readings, we see that an impressive transformation has taken place now in Jacob’s life. Earlier, he left home as a great deceiver, but now, upon his return, he seems to have recognized the foolishness and futility of his own deceptions, and subsequently, to have learned and repented from them – at least to some degree. These are intangibles of greater worth. Genesis 32:7 tells us that Jacob was “in great fear and distress.” But then, “Jacob prayed” (verse 9). We seldom know how trouble will find us, but this time, Jacob’s solution for trouble’s visitation was the right one – and we should apply it as well. He prayed, and then he prepared to meet Esau. Jacob’s personal wrestling match left him with a physical limp from having battled spiritually with God “that night” (verse 22), an encounter he would never forget it. Properly, after our own real encounter with the Lord – like Jacob – we should rightly feel His hand on us, causing us to “limp” along humbly and dependently before Him in our Christian life from that point on. Like Jacob, we regocnize that we are “unworthy of all His faithful kindness” (Genesis 32:10), but we know by God’s daily assurance that He is with us. Not knowing what to expect but having just contended with the almighty God, Jacob is now ready to face Esau - the man (Genesis 33). Happily, we find that Esau, too, has softened over the years; “Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him … and they wept” (Genesis 33:4). May God grant that all our reunions should be such memorable intangibles of greater worth for us.
Proverbs 2:1-11 tells us that God wants us to search for “wisdom, understanding, and insight” (verses 2-3) with the same intensity that some people search “for silver or hidden treasure” (verse 4). Why? Because, in God’s mind, these beautiful treasures are intangibles of greater worth than material wealth. They help us “understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (verse 5). In the light of eternity, what could be more valuable than to know God truly, to worship Him acceptably, and to know His approval? Proverbs 2:6-11 reveals God’s gifts to us – He gives “wisdom, knowledge, understanding,” and notice what else – “He holds victory” for us; “He is a shield” for us; and “He guards and protects” us (verses 6-8). God’s Word calls us to beseech God for truth, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, insight, discernment, and discretion (cf., verses 9-11). For people who lack these intangibles of greater worth, James give us his solution – “you do not have, because you do not ask” (cf., James 1:5 and 4:2).
In Matthew 12:22-45, we see how the Pharisees made the absurd claim that Jesus was “driving out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons” (verse 24). Jesus pointed out how illogical their allegation was and how dangerously close they were to the sin that cannot be forgiven – “blasphemy against the Spirit” (verses 22-32). Jesus used the same language that John the Baptist used to identify them properly: “You brood of vipers” (cf., Matthew 3:7 and 12:34) – indicating that they were, in fact, the offspring of Satan (cf., John 8:44-45). Later, in verses 38-42, Jesus validates the history of Jonah the prophet by declaring that the only sign that Jesus would give to authenticate His own ministry was the sign of Jonah. Like Jonah, who was three days in the belly of the fish, Jesus would be three days “in the heart of the earth” (verse 40). Jesus denounced that “generation” for its failure to heed the signs it was given, and He says that “the men of Nineveh and the Queen of the South would rise up in the judgment to condemn that generation” (verses 41-42). Missing the intangibles of greater worth can be both dangerous and deadly. As we recently observed, we need to be careful to thank our merciful, gracious God Who reveals truthfully to us all the signs we need to find the stairway to heaven.
Comments