The passages in Genesis continues the story of Jacob. He fled his brother Esau and went to stay with his uncle Laban and find a wife among his mother's relatives. He works for Laban and they negotiate wages: 7 years for Rachel. When the time comes Laban switches his daughters and gives him Leah instead. In order to marry Rachel, Laban asks for another 7 years.
After 20 years with Laban, Jacob decides to head home to land where he grew up. On the way there he literally wrestles with the Lord, who renames him Israel. I don't really understand this exchange, honestly. Why did the Lord come to him? If it was just to rename him, why did he need to come and fight him first, why not just come to him as he did Abraham?
Throughout it all, the years and the deceptions, the Lord continues to bless the sons of Abraham. They increase in number and wealth. God's patience and faithfulness is evident.
Matthew 9 is the ministry of Jesus. Jesus calls a tax collector to be his disciple and dines with him and 'sinners'. When Jesus is criticized for it he says" But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I have to say that reading that he said this makes me love him all the more; to see his heart for saving the lost. How he values mercy.
As Christians we often try to remove ourselves from the influences of the world as much as possible. Although it is right to stay away from sin, I think that God wants us to be in places where we will meet people who are lost and show mercy to them. As I go along in my spiritual training I believe I need to look for times to be uncomfortable and share his love with people who otherwise might now hear.
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