Obedience or Convenience?

Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’” [Genesis 32.9-12]

"Please rescue me from the hand of my brother..." Jacob's faith was found in his request.

Jacob was set on obedience to God in returning to his own land. This land was still occupied by the brother, Esau, that Jacob had originally fled for his life from. To return would certainly mean an encounter with Esau who wanted Jacob dead. At the time of this prayer by Jacob, he already knew Esau was on his way to meet him with an army of 400 men. It didn't look good for Jacob.

But Jacob was set on obedience to God in returning to his own land. His prayer reflected that and so, reflected his faith that it would have to be God Who made it happen.

The outcome of Jacob's prayer was miraculous. Instead of attacking and killing his deceptive brother, Esau greeted and welcomed Jacob. Prayer answered. Disaster averted. God glorified and exalted.

The thing is, when Jacob found out that Esau was headed his was with 400 men, he could have easily concluded that it was in his best interest to go the other way and that perhaps he could get with God later... But instead, Jacob chose the way of obedience instead of the way of convenience. 

The way of obedience required faith.

Most usually, the way of obedience requires faith. We should all give this some thought!

Father, thank You for Jacob's example of obedient faith. Help us to always choose the way of obedience over the way of convenience.