Just Do What God Says

But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! [Genesis 33.10]

I saw something interesting today that I don't believe I have ever noticed before. This verse records part of Jacob's conversation with Esau during their reunion. I want to point out in particular where Jacob told Esau it was a relief to see his friendly smile. And then, Jacob said something profoundly revealing. He said, "It is like seeing the face of God!"

So, here I want to include a previous passage for background:

Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” [Genesis 32.30]

The significance of Jacob seeing God face to face is that the setting in which this took place ultimately occurred because Jacob was afraid. It should be understood that God told Jacob to return home:

I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.’” [Genesis 31.13]

And yet, Jacob became fearful. In his fearful situation, Jacob saw the face of God.

Here is what stands out to me: Jacob said seeing Esau was "like seeing the face of God." Jacob could have had the experience of "seeing the face of God" if he had simply gone on to Canaan as God instructed without the drama of the all-night fight that eventually yielded a bum hip for Jacob.

There seems to be a couple things to take away from this story.

One, when God has told us to do something, we should just do it without fear and second-guessing. The Bible clearly and repeatedly attaches inherent blessings on obedience.

And two, how many things do we currently suffer because we have feared?

How much better would Jacob's reunion with Esau have been had Jacob simply and fearlessly gone straight to him without all the fuss? We can only speculate... But, we just need to DO what God says.

Father, I am so convicted here today by Jacob's story. I cannot even begin to count all the times I have felt led by You to do something but allowed second-guessing and fear to alter my course. Wow, what a revelation... help me not forget it!