Notice how God steps into the life of Abram, eventually Abraham and how he starts anew with similar promises of Creation.

Read Genesis 12:1-3- The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

What do we see? What are key words that stand out to you?

God creates a new covenant, a new relationship with humanity. It starts with Abraham, which will eventually be the people of Israel, but his desire is to go throughout the world and be what? A blessing, blessing represents God’s favor.

John Walton shares it this way. “God revealed himself through the covenant. The promises given to Abraham were both a means for God to reveal his attributes (power, love, mercy,
justice, etc.) as well as a benefit to him and his family, conditional on their cooperation and participation.”

Was Abraham perfect in it? Oh no, we will see his failures, the ways he tries to take things into his own hands, he fears, and his lack of trust. But God continues to pursue and redeem.
We see the blessing continue to Abraham’s grandson Jacob, even though he was the younger son, he was blessed by God. Even though Jacob was a deceiver and followed in his father’s footsteps of taking things into his own hand. God pursues him, to bless and give him a new life.

Genesis 32:24-30- 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

What do we see? What are key words that stand out to you?

Again, we see new identity, new relationship, and we see blessing. God is continuing his pursuit of creation (giving life), failure, redemption (grace/blessing) repeat.

The final story we see this in and the incorporation of an entire nation is with the story of
Joseph and the infamous line he shares after all that he went through.

Genesis 50:21-22- 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.”

What do we see? What are key words that stand out to you?

Even in the pain, hardship, challenges we see that God kept his promise and is a blessing, through Joseph and to the nation.

Take a moment and journal around these thoughts or questions:
Journal about a time when you failed but God extended grace and redemption. How does remembering this help you trust Him now?
Transformation often comes through struggle, and blessing sometimes leaves us marked. God doesn't always remove our wrestling; sometimes He meets us in it. The very act of holding onto God through the night, refusing to release Him despite pain, demonstrates the faith He honors. What are you wrestling with today?