8-17-14: Don't Give Up Too Soon | Neighborhood Congregational Church

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-28; Genesis 32:22-31

Doubt, faith and blessing are powerfully interwoven in today’s scripture readings. Fourteen years and two wives after beginning work for his uncle, Jacob is ready to return home with his family and flocks. Yet to get home, Jacob has to cross his brother Esau’s lands—the brother that threatened most earnestly to kill him for stealing their father’s blessing and tricking Esau out of his birthright. Jacob doubts he can cross Esau’s land without being attacked…so he sends his family and flocks ahead in separate parties while he travels forward alone. It is when Jacob is alone that Jacob is confronted during the night by an angel. Rather than being cowed or contrite by his earlier lack of faith, Jacob demands to be blessed before he will let the angel go. And so Jacob receives the blessing of being called Israel. Even in our doubts, blessings are to be had by those who seek them with faith in the One who blesses us. Such blessings, however, always come at the end of the journey.

See you Sunday.

Yours on the journey,Pastor B.J.