In today’s reading of Tyndale’s OYCSB (with featured content written by the CBT team),
- Jacob faces his fear of Esau and his disgust with his own past. Knowing all that he has is the result of his own sinful behavior, Jacob pleads with God to bless him. God blesses Him by changing his name. He will no longer embrace the identity of one who is always attempting to overcome. God gives him a new identity. Israel is one who gained God’s blessing by refusing to not be blessed.
- Jacob fails his daughter and his boys, but in the aftermath, the entire family is called to put away their idols. God alone is God Almighty. The Dinah incident will take some time to sort itself out—building bridges of trust back when they have been destroyed is hard work. However, the whole family will eventually get to Egypt as a people of faith, a family of redemption, and a covenant heritage testifying to God’s faithfulness.
Let’s dive into today’s reading!
