In Genesis 32:24-31 Jacob decided to leave Laban’s house for his home country together with his whole family and possessions. He had been living in self-exile in the city of Haran because he feared his brother, Esau’s, wrath. He was a man with great possessions because God had mightily blessed him while he was with his uncle. Jacob had to leave because he still wasn’t satisfied in spite of his enormous wealth and vast estate. There was a void in his heart which no amount of earthly possession could fill. Just because God has blessed you with enormous wealth and resources doesn’t mean you know God. Material blessing does not necessarily signify spiritual prosperity. The blessing that comes through your faith in God is a higher level of blessing that takes you beyond the level of material things of this life.
“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day” (Genesis 32:24). This was the turning point for Jacob. It was at this point that he realized that the best thing in life is not the glitz of wealth but the confident assurance that comes from knowing God intimately. A lot of people are happy when they have all the good things of life and they become sad if they don’t have them. Paul the apostle said, “For I, however I am placed, have learnt to be independent of circumstances” (Philippians 4:11 TCNT). That was a man who lived beyond the circumstances of this life. Never look up to your material or physical possessions. Whether you have or not, let your confidence be in God.
Don’t be like Jacob to whom God appeared in all His glory and splendour with a multitude of angels and still couldn’t get his attention because he was sleeping. Recognize God as the One blessing you with the good things of life, for “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17). It’s important that you’re alone at times because that’s when God begins talking. That’s when you’ll meet the Angel of God’s presence - the Holy Spirit.
