Genesis, Message 27: Transformation for God’s Building

Crystallization-Study of Genesis, Message 27:

"Transformation for God’s Building"

The most obvious work of God in Jacob’s life is the transforming work. Therefore let’s continue learning from Jacob’s life so that his experience may also become ours.

Jacob’s life is recorded in Genesis 25-50. There are 3 distinct periods in his life.

• Genesis 25-32 record the period of dealings. Jacob passed through dealing after dealing. Nevertheless, no change was seen in his life. He remained the same. He was still cunning and conniving, employing his clever schemes to gain what he wanted.
• Genesis 33-36 describe the period of transformation. Since he was renamed as "Israel" at the Peniel, his life was gradually transformed. And we can notice a clear change in his life as a transformed person in Genesis 37, which was the first time he had actually been called "Israel."
• Genesis 37-50 portray the period of maturity, the final step of transformation. He was already transformed in Genesis 37. But that was not good enough. Because of God’s love, He still allowed Israel to have some situations by which his life would not only be transformed, but also fully matured. And the matured life was expressed as a blessing life in Genesis 47.

 

Everything is for our good.

What is transformation? It is not an outward correction or adjustment. Instead, it is an inward, organic (associated with life) and metabolic change, in which our old natural element is removed and the divine element of the Triune God is added. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in all believers. Through this process, we will be conformed to the image of the Son of God outwardly.

In Genesis 33-36, we see that Jacob suffered because of his sons. The situations were under God’s sovereignty for his good. Nothing happened just by chance. Nothing could surprise God nor happened out of His control. God worked all things for Jacob’s good, which is his life transformation.

Brothers and sisters, we need to be thankful that our life is not very easy. If our life was too easy, we would never have a chance to enjoy the process of transformation. So don’t forget to praise the Lord and thank Him for any situation, either good or bad, knowing that all things are under His sovereignty and used by Him just for our good, which is having our life conformed to Christ’s image and becoming His many brethren.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29 NKJV)

  

Transformation process starts when we wrestle with God and see Him face to face.

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 32:28 NKJV)

At Peniel, after the wrestling with the Lord for the whole night, the Lord renamed Jacob, the supplanter, as Israel.

The word "Israel" means "one who struggles with God" or "the prince of God." After the wrestling with God, Jacob called that place "Peniel," which means "face of God." Not until Jacob saw God face to face and struggled with God did his life start to be transformed.

How could we apply this to our experience?

Brothers and sisters, we all were sinners and God’s enemies. Like Jacob, we were also supplanters. By God’s grace, we were called, forgiven, and regenerated, given a new life in Christ. Yes, God loves us as we are, but He too loves us to let us remain the same. He really wants us to become His princes.

If we would like to see God’s transforming work in your life, having our soul (mind, will and emotion) conformed to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29; 12:2), we need to learn from Jacob’s experience. We need to diligently wrestle with God by fervent prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18).

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

... praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -- (Ephesians 6:18 NKJV)

Furthermore, we need to be at Peniel, seeing God face to face. Because our veil has already been taken away, we need to behold God’s glorious face day by day (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NKJV)

By this means, our life will be gradually transformed from a "supplanter" to a "prince of God," who reigns in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17), expressing God and representing Him on the earth (Genesis 1:26). We would ultimately become a living stone and a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9) for the building up of God’s house, the Church, which will consummate in the New Jerusalem.

For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17 NKJV)

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5 NKJV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV) 

Thirayost Nimmanon (Tony)

Further reading

• The Holy Word for Morning Revival: Crystallization-Study of Genesis, week 27.
• Adam Clarke's 1810/1825 commentary and critical notes on the Bible, Genesis 32:28