The Long Journey Home (Genesis 31:1-32:2)

After twenty long and heart-breaking years, the word of the Lord finally comes to Jacob and tells him to return to the Promised Land. Much has changed: Rebekah has died and Jacob has four wives, Jacob left penniless but returns wealthy and powerful with twelve sons. But much hasn’t changed: Jacob still wrestles with his own sin and living in light of the promise of God. Jacob’s journey home is much like each of our individual journeys: the danger is that we might stop to find a more suitable place, but the promise of God draws us forward. As angels welcome Jacob back into the Promised Land each of us is reminded of God’s faithfulness to us thus far in our lives and of his promise to see us safely home.