Key Verse: "So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, 'it is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared." Genesis 32:30
Years ago every town had some kind of fix-it shop. But in the twenty-first century, those kinds of stores are about as rare as an eight-track tape. Today most of us simply throw away something broken and buy a new one. But what about a broken relationship? Should we try to fix it or just forget about it and move on?
The second part of Jacob's story is all about dealing with broken relationships. First, he had to deal with his uncle Laban. After years of unfair treatment, Jacob left the land of his uncle under instructions from God. Laban wasn't happy about his daughters leaving, so he followed Jacob. Eventually Jacob and Laban made peace with each other after a face-to-face confrontation. Then Jacob dreaded the next encounter-the time had come to confront his brother, Esau.
By now, God had dealt with Jacob in many ways. Jacob wasn't the same young man who'd stolen his brother's birthright and blessing. A dream about a ladder to heaven, years spent working for his uncle, and a wrestling match with an angel had helped to strengthen both Jacob's character and his faith.
When he met Esau, Jacob bowed in submission. Then Jacob and Esau embraced each other in tears. God had changed the hearts of both men, and they reconciled.
Jacob's life is a testimony to the fact that fractured relationships can be fixed. God is the great healer, and he may be at work healing your broken relationships right now. The first step in the healing process could be letting God change you as he did Jacob.
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