We hear from Torah.

"That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak." (Genesis 32:22-24)

When Jacob came to the river Jabbok, he come to an impasse, a point where there was no easy way forward.  God gives to Jacob a new calling at this major turning point in life, at the River Jabok.  Just imagine for a moment this setting at the river.  As the water was passing by, what may have been racing through Jacob's heart?  Jacob is not sure what to do.  There is great risk.  His life and the life of this family were in peril.  Whenever we move forward with God, there is risk.

"Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He instructed them: "This is what you are to say to my master Esau: `Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now.  I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, menservants and maidservants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.' "  When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."(Genesis 32:3-8)

Jacob feared that Esau might wipe out him and his family.  Had not Esau given his word that he would kill Jacob, the one who had stole his birthright and blessing.  What might happen to us if we face those things we have been avoiding for years?  Or if we follow Yeshua's call of discipleship, to be discipled and disciple others, to follow in the footsteps of Yeshua.  But whatever the risk or the cost, is it worth finding and living out God's call.  It may mean having less and losing those things that we hold dear.  What are we willing to risk to fulfill God's calling on our lives?

We all, at times,come to our own river.  Just as Israel came to the Red Sea, and had to trust God, or stay where they were, we face a river crossing.  We often stand on the banks of a river, gazing and wondering how we will arrive at the other side.  Will we trust God and fulfill our calling?  Will we live out our calling through Yeshua to live for God and serve Israel?

Questions for response and dialogue:

In what ways are Messianic Judaism at a river?

What are our risks and gains?

What does the other side look like?

How are we going to get to the other side?

Next blog: Wrestling with God.