Don’t you hate it when people judge you, judge your character, judge your motives and set out to execute judgment on you based on something or some encounter that you’ve had with them in the past?
There were twin brothers in the Bible by the name of Jacob and Esau. They split up under some very bad conditions. Jacob stole his twin brother’s birthright. It actually started in the womb when Jacob grabbed Esau’s heel to try and keep him from being born first.
Jacob and his mother Rebekah came up with an elaborate plan to steal Esau’s birthright. Esau the hunter that he is promises to kill Jacob for what he has done to him. But as the years past Esau grows in grace and begins to long for his brother. He realizes that his intentions are all wrong.
The day comes when their paths cross and Jacob has much to be concerned about. Low and behold, before their paths cross, Jacob has an encounter with God and wrestles with an Angel and gets a name change. He goes from Jacob which means trickster, conniver, heel grabber to Israel. Israel means one who wrestles with God and prevails.
Well, not only does he get a name change but he gets a limp. God changes his walk. The way he walks. Changes his ways. Heals and forgives his past and changes the way he walks. The limb was a permanent reminder of his encounter with God.
Lastly, I also believe that when Esau saw Jacob coming towards him when they finally met that he too saw Jacob’s limp. He saw the change in the way he walked, talked, was living or had even heard about it. He ran to his brother and when he once wanted to kill him, he falls on his neck and kisses him.
What a picture of love and grace and forgiveness. What Jacob and Rebekah did to Esau was in the past. Esau had gone on with his life and was prospering and Jacob had gone on with his. Esau “got over it”. He proved it when he forgave.
If you stay close to God. Wrestle with Him. Let Him change you. Let God give you a permanent limp. Even your enemies will have to recognize it and abort their plan to kill you.
Proverbs 16:7 Living Bible (TLB)
7 When a man is trying to please God, God makes even his worst enemies to be at peace with him.
Stay right with God and watch your enemies drop their swords.
—Vaughn McLaughlin