Many people believe that God is a God of second chances. The truth is, however, that God is a God of multiple chances, not just second chances. He doesn’t give up. He doesn’t leave us, forsake us, and thus, never gives up on us.
God had a plan for Jacob and his family. He was building a nation, a special nation that would usher in the salvation of mankind. We can look back and see how God worked this plan through the centuries. But Jacob did not have our advantage. He had to live in the moment. To us, the troubles and struggles Jacob faced are just bumps in God’s plan. But to Jacob, they were real and he often experienced pain, trouble, and uncertainty.
That was certainly the case with the incident in Shechem. The young man Shechem had taken Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, and had sexual relations with her. Afterward, he and his father approached Jacob about taking Dinah as his wife. Jacob’s sons wanted revenge and concocted a plan to kill the inhabitants of Shechem. The result of their deception left Jacob scared and confused. Surely, Jacob concluded, their actions would cause the people of the surrounding cities to seek and destroy Jacob and his family. Jacob knew only one answer to his trouble; turn to God.
Jacob returned to Bethel where He had met before with God. Upon arriving we are told, “God appeared to Jacob again.” (Gen.35:9) Jacob was renewed and refreshed, receiving a new name and a new vision.
When we find ourselves in confusing and difficult places, we need to learn from Jacob and return to God. He won’t reject us, He won’t forsake us, and He’s certainly not angry with us. When we return to God, we will find renewal and refreshing, and a restoration of the vision of God.
