Good Morning.
So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:27-28)
Those who have had such an encounter with God as Jacob had, are given the promise that they can prevail over their enemies. As I shared yesterday, this is possible when we are committed to walk (which is to say, live) in the way that is pleasing and upright before God. When we are walking in this manner, we have the authority to “trample on serpents” as it were.
However, the implication here is that when we fail to walk according to God’s instruction, that is to say in disobedience, that authority is compromised. In other words, rather than us trampling upon the enemy, the enemy is capable of trampling upon us. In fact, this is the prophecy given to Esau by his father, Isaac, after Esau learned that he had lost the blessing to Jacob. His father told him:
By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck.” (Genesis 27:40)
Many Jewish commentators interpret this to mean that, if ever there was a time when Esau had a legitimate grievance against Jacob — i.e. when Jacob was not walking upright and as he should — he would be able to break Jacob’s yoke from his neck. This implies that, having removed the yoke from his neck, he would in turn place a yoke upon Jacob. This is, in fact, what is hinted at when Yeshua said to those who are called to be salt: “But if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13).
The point, then, is to amplify the importance of walking as God has instructed us. When we do we keep the enemy under our feet; when we don’t, we risk being under his. It is quite simple and logical when you consider the Bible tells us that there is only one way that leads to life and that is to follow in the footsteps of the Messiah. Because He has overcome the world, following in the impressions He has already left with His heel, provides us the ability to trample on any serpent that strays into that path. Let us stay focused on the road before us lest we stray from the way that leads to blessing and eternal life.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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