Reconciliation
(Genesis 32:24-32)

Humans became enemy of God due to Adam's rebellion. Since then, no one could come before God without the blood of animals. It was because being an enemy of God meant committing sin and the price of sin is death. Therefore, animals had to be killed in humans’ stead so that sins could be covered with the blood for moment and that humans could come before God.
In order to reconcile humans, the enemy of God, with God, Jesus the only son of God redeemed us from our sins so that we can be reconciled with God through His blood and live in harmony with God.
Like this, many times we have frictions with family, neighbor, relatives, friends, and neighboring countries and become enemy to them. Isolation begets loneliness and confrontation, resulting in homicide and war. For us to live in peace happily, we ought to be reconciled with one another.

1. Jacob and Esau, brother-turned-enemies
1) Esau had a deep grudge against Jacob.
① Jacob was so mean that he deprived Esau of his birthright as the first son with a bowl of lentil stew.
② Jacob stole his father's prayer of blessing from Esau.
③ Jacob had his mother's favor.
④ Jacob deserted his old parents and left for his uncle's house.
⑤ He did not inquire after his parents nor send any messages to them.

2. The command of God: “Go back to your native land”
1) What happened at the ford of the Jabbok
① Esau came to meet Jacob with his 400 soldiers.
② A chance to resolve 20-year-old resentment
③ There were no parents in present who could stop the brothers from fighting and make peace between them.
2) Jacob who wrestled with an angel
① Jacob before the wrestling and an angel who came out of the blue
② The angel’s hypothetical demands
　ⓐ Go with your family as a man of responsibility. ⓑ Repent and be gentle and modest.
　ⓒ Come before your brother and surrender. ⓓ Leave the responsibility to the Lord and be courageous.

3. Wrestling with the angel
1) Jacob refused to follow the angel’s demand
2) He did not want to change the way of his life, a selfish life ? He wanted to keep living in such a way that seemed right to him.
3) As Jacob resisted so fiercely, the angel touched the socket of his hip.
4) Being crippled, Jacob faced the worst situation.
5) Whether to be changed or die ? to be Jacob or Israel

4. If I am changed, my opponent will also be changed
1) Putting off selfishness
2) Putting off human-centrism
3) Becoming gentle and humble - becoming warm-hearted, obedient, and modest while putting off pride
① Went on ahead of his family ② Sent gifts to his brother
③ Bowed down to the ground seven times ④ showed respect to his brother with sincere heart
- A brother who left 20 years ago as Jacob returned home as Israel. The brothers reconciled with one another by the grace of God

Jacob became Israel who won the wrestling with God. He relied on God with gentle and modest heart and by faith, and saved many lives by defusing hostility of his brother.