God the Protector

Passage: Genesis 35:1-7

The human response to a world full of threats is fear.  Typically fear provokes two reactions: retreat to a secure place; or aggression and taking up arms.  These responses are based on the assumption that we are alone.  That the only resources available for our protection are the ones we can get ourselves.

Jacob is an Old Testament character who lives his life as though he’s on his own.  The irony is that Jacob’s story is punctuated by encounters with God.  A God who promises to prosper him and protect him at every turn.  Repeatedly Jacob either flees from conflict, or uses deceit and manipulation to preserve himself.  Which might cause him, and we the readers of his story, to think that it’s Jacob who is the captain of his own destiny.  Except that there are too many instances in which Jacob is forced to face off against obstacles which are too great for either his smarts or his strength to overcome.  In Genesis 32 Jacob prepares to return to his homeland, where he must face Esau, the brother who holds a (justifiably) murderous grudge against him.  On the way Jacob encounters a stranger with whom he wrestles until dawn.  Jacob can’t beat him, the reason being that this stranger is God.  God blesses Jacob, but also cripples him – a reminder that Jacob is subject to forces greater than himself.  Jacob then meets Esau – whose fighting force far surpasses Jacob’s.  To Jacob’s surprise, though, Esau meets him with open arms – a change of heart Jacob could not have engineered.  Then, in Genesis 35, Jacob’s household passes through enemy territory.  They pass through untouched – but not because they are so powerful or imposing.  Rather, it’s because

…as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. (Genesis 35:5)

These insurmountable obstacles serve as a reminder – to Jacob and to us – that it is neither our machinations nor our muscles that navigate us safely through this dangerous world.  It’s God, who can change the hearts of our enemies as surely as he can change the seasons.  Jacob learns repeatedly that his attempts to create his own security have unintended collateral damage.  This is a lesson we are too slow to learn, as we arm ourselves against fear and terror, and create enemies where none need be.  Trust God to provide that which you never can: security.  Let him be your protector.  And live with real peace.