Genesis 33:1-22

EL ELOHE ISRAEL

Keywords 33:10

"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.

 

1. To see your face is like seeing the face of God (1-11)

After meeting God who changed his inner being, Jacob’s fear for Esau was gone.

His value system, his eyes to see things were totally transformed. He now stood

ahead of the families with no fear to meet Esau. When Esau was surprised by

Jacob’s boldness, Jacob confessed, “For to see your face is like seeing the face

of God.” Surely the fear of God drives out all fear of men.

 

2. El-Elohe-Israel (12-22)

Jacob solved his life-long problem of fear and guilt with Esau through meeting

God. He felt free and victorious as his name “Israel” meant, the prince of God.

Jacob went to Sukkoth and built a place for him and for his livestock. He did not

forget to make an altar to thank and worship God. He called it El-Elohe-Israel,

“Mighty is God of Israel”. Jacob finally came to have an independent faith, like

Abraham and Isaac as an ancestor of faith. Each of us should also meet and

experience God personally until God becomes My-El-Elohe too.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for changing Jacob from fearful and selfish person into a

prince of God.

One Word Mighty is my God!