In the book of Hosea, Hosea said concerning Jacob, “He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God”, and in chapter twelve and verse four of Hosea, Hosea said about Jacob, “he had power over the angel, and prevailed” where we read,
Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him:
he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us;
The verse begins, “Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him:” Hosea began with the words, “yes, he had power” or “also, even so and indeed, he, Jacob, contended and prevailed” “over the angel” which means “into and toward the messenger, representative or envoy”, “and prevailed” or “and overcame, was able to endure, gain and accomplish”: “he wept” which means “he, Jacob, bewailed, cried and shed tears in grief and humiliation”, “and made supplication unto him” or “and sought to be shown favor, grace, pity and mercy from him, the angel”. Hosea shared how “Jacob” contended with the messenger from God, bitterly cried out and plead for a blessing from him.
The verse continues, “he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us;” Hosea added the words, “he found him” or “he, Jacob, discovered, perceived, met, secured, acquired and encountered him, Jehovah God” “in Bethel” which means “in the place called Bethel which means house of God which was a location in the south country of Judah not far from Beersheba and Ziglag”, “and there he spoke with us” or “and there, in Bethel, he, Jehovah God, communed, promised and pronounced to us, the people of Jacob or Israel”. (See Genesis 28:11-19) Hosea shared how “Jacob” encountered Jehovah God in “Bethel” where God communed with him.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Hosea referred to the time when “Jacob”, who became “Israel”, formed his relationship with God. “Jacob” wrestled with the angel of God all night, and in the morning, “Jacob” would not let the angel go until he received a blessing from Him. This is when “Jacob” was renamed “Israel”which means “God prevails or governed by God”, and “Jacob” became a servant of the LORD from that time on. God desires a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the whole world, and when we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and speak to us through His Holy Spirit so we become “governed by God” like “Jacob”.
Next time Hosea shares who spoke to them, “even the LORD God of hosts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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