We don’t normally think of the Scots in terms of those who rescued Jewish people from the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust. When the name, Jane Haining, from Dunscore, Dumfriesshire in Scotland came to my attention, I determined to know more about her courageous selfless life.
People of faith make God’s Word part of their thought process 24/7, integrate it into their very being and share it with those around them.
When God burdens your heart for a specific job, success is assured when you prepare for action by going to Him in prayer and allowing Him time to arrange the details.
At Bethel, God not only confirmed Jacob’s name change to Israel, He reiterated and connected the covenantal blessing to all of Jacob-Israel’s descendants—“the children of Israel.”
Reconciliation between Jacob and Esau was affirmed at their unforeseen reunion. It’s a true-life story that ends well. The relationship between the twin brothers remained amicable during their lifetime.
We are not told what specific outcome Jacob expected. None-the-less, God answered his prayer by changing Esau’s mind—by replacing his vengeful attitude with one of conciliation. What Jacob had dreaded for two decades never materialized!
While the uniqueness of the situation cannot be overstated, his new name, Israel, is a powerful testimony of Jacob’s character, influence and struggle with God.
You must be logged in to post a comment.