Genesis 47:9 (NIV) And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.”

As we read the miraculous story of Jacob’s life, we see him begin as a shrewd schemer. He was the second of twin boys and when the first son, Esau, was born, the second, he, Jacob, was holding onto his brother’s heal. As Jacob grew, we read that he tricked Esau out of his rights as the firstborn son and then he stole the father's blessing that was intended for Esau. Jacob was a schemer and a survivor, but God had plans for his life.

Jacob had to move away because Esau was looking to kill him for what he had done and he wound up being away for about twenty years. During that time, he acquired two wives and many sons as well as great herds of livestock. He wanted to return home but was afraid of Esau, so he sent presents for him through his servants. Before he crossed the river to enter near where Esau lived, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Jacob and the Bible says that Jacob wrestled with Him all night long. When morning came, he held on to the Lord and wouldn’t let go until the Lord blessed Him, which He did. After that encounter, Jacob was a changed man. God even changed his name to Israel. He was no longer the schemer and conniver but became a solid man of God.

Many years later, Jacob and all his sons went to Egypt to live because of a severe famine in the entire world, which also affected the Promised Land (Canaan). He got to meet Pharoah and when Pharaoh asked him how old he was, he answered that his “pilgrimage” on the earth was 130 years. Israel (Jacob) was no longer living for what he could scheme and acquire in this life but was of a different mindset after his encounter with God. Now he saw his life as a temporary journey, with the main purpose of seeking God and following His lead. He no longer considered himself a citizen of the earth but considered himself a pilgrim just passing through this life to reach his final destination with God in heaven.

That is the mindset that everyone who has been touched by the mercy and grace of God has when they have had an encounter with Him. Jesus has made a way for us that is even better than what Jacob experienced as now, our pilgrimage includes us being able to walk on this earth not just encountering God a number of times throughout our lives but actually living with the Spirit of Jesus living in us. Our pilgrimage is one where the Holy Spirit lives in us on a daily basis, leading and guiding us in the way that we should go until we arrive safely home to be with him in heaven. Don’t make this earth and everything in it what you go after and what you set your heart on but instead, set your heart on God and things above, which will last for all eternity. As you do, your journey through this life will be all the more sweeter and will have all the more meaning until your pilgrimage is done and the Lord brings you home.

Pastor Joey Vazquez