spiritual battle: God's Camp (Gen.31:54-32:2)

As Jacob and his own family and entourage was getting ready to leave the land of his father-in-law, Laban (whom he had just disgruntled), Jacob was getting ready to meet up with his brother Esau (whom he had once back-stabbed - twice).  I'm pretty sure Jacob offered up a few prayers for protection as he offered a sacrifice to God, because as Jacob continued on his journey, he saw that he was surrounded by God's angels...

(Genesis 31:54-55)  Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his kinsmen to the meal; and they ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain. 55 Early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

(Genesis 32:1-2)  Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him. 2 Jacob said when he saw them, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim.

From this we see:
- we can sometimes see angels surrounding us

Personal experience:  I had an uncle who was a missionary in Africa.  After a certain tribe in Ethiopia had become predominately Christian, the chief had told my uncle that at one point they were going to attack and kill them, but when they had approached their home- they saw angels guarding it and fire and chariots encircling the house.

Today's takeaway:  when Jacob finally met up with his brother Esau, there was reconciliation.  We don't know if or how much the angels influenced the outcome;  but it is through God that we have the great template of true reconciliation!...

(Romans 5:6-11)  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.