April 19, 2026

Have you ever had someone take something really special from you? I bet you felt sad, hurt, or mad. The Bible tells us that after Esau learned Jacob stole his blessing, he was mad. So mad that he wanted to kill Jacob. Yikes! Rebekah told Jacob to leave town: “Get out of here now and stay with my brother Laban until
Esau cools down.” That’s what Jacob did. On his way, he stopped to sleep. God came to him in a strange dream about a ladder full of angels going up and down from earth to heaven. God stood above the ladder and reminded Jacob of his promises: “I am the God of Abraham and Isaac. I will give to you the land and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth and in your family all the families of the earth will be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised” (see Gen. 28:13–15). When Jacob awoke, he said, “How awesome! This is the house of God!” (see 28:17). There wasn’t an actual house, of course. Jacob meant God was with him and
would stay with him. During his time with Uncle Laban, God blessed Jacob with money; twelve sons; and sheep, goats, donkeys, camels, and cows. Baa. Maa. Neigh. Grunt. Moo. One night, as Jacob was leaving Laban’s land, God came to him again. This time it wasn’t in a dream but as a mysterious man who wrestled him all night. Jacob would not let go until he received a blessing. God gave him the blessing of a new name. Instead of Jacob, which means “he cheats,” he became known as Israel, which means “he strives with God.” The word strive means to work hard for something or to struggle. He also gave him a bad hip to remind him of this night. As Jacob limped away, he was amazed: “I have seen God face to face” (32:30). Struggling and striving Jacob was blessed with the confidence that God was with him