Evening star., 1932-05-21

Civilization has reached its cross
roads. Each day the evidence is placed
before us by the press that indicates
the rapid changing conditions in the
affairs of men and nations which prove
conclusively that we are facing new
day. The assassination of the Presi-
dent of France and the premier OF
Japan at the moment of the discovery
of the body of the murdered Lindbergh
child. help us to realize our Nations
peril Of lawbreaking. The clash be-
tween the Hindu and Mohammedan re-
ligious forces in India within the last
few days reveals the possibilities OF
racial and religious hatred in the world
which may precipitate war at any mo-
ment. Europe, staggering under the
difficulties of the wars aftermath, looks
across the Atlantic and sees our own
poWerful nation, the worlds most pros
porous country, facing difficulties of the
greatest moment, including unemploy-
ment and want. Lloyd George warned
the world several years ago that the
nsssions of the earth had to choose be-
tWecn Christ and chaos. Our lesson
brings us face to face with the mission
of Christianity to help men OF all lands
to become reconciled with one anotner
ana 10 i've dS DIOLIlSLo Ia PSoSN' paw
perity and progress.
Twenty years had passed since jacob
had left his old home associations In
obedience to ISaac'S command xor MN
to find a wife for himself among his
Uncle Labans family in distant Haran.
God had revealed Himself in dream
that filed Jacob with confidence and
courage as he faced the lonely journey
to Haran In his dealings with Laban,
Jacob found that he reaped what ne
had soWn. The first seven years went
by quickly for he was working to OBJ
tain Rachel, whom he loved. In place
of her Laban gave him Leah, but later
agreed that he could have Rachel II ne
would work seven years longer. Then
came six years when he toiled to secure
start as a shepherd during which he
exercised trickery, with the result that
he recognized his unpopularity with
Laban and his family, due to his sue
cess. About this time Jacob heard
call summoning him to return to PaleS-
tine. He arranged for a secret depar-
ture at an hour when Laban was absent
shearing his sheep. When his father
in-law overlook him. Jacob mastered
Laban in argument and made cove
nant with him He moved on with his
fiocks and family until he reached the
Jabbok, where Jacob was compelled to
wrestle all night until daybreak.
Crucial Conflict.
No one can understand the heroic
figure of Jacob unless they keep IN
mind the crucial battle that Jacob
fought courageously alone throughout
the night with the unknown wrestler.
Jacob had cause to fear Esau because
of his iniquitous action in taking ad-
vantage of his physical weakness and
securing by trickery the paternal bless
ing. During the 20 years, he was absent
from home waiting for the message
from his mother calling him back,
Jacobs conscience had been stirred by
the recollection of his acts. He had
automatically sent messengers and
presents to Esau when he reached
Edom. The replies that Esau was COM
ing with 400 messengers did not bring
satisfaction to Jacob who sent the
family across the ford of the Jabbok
and sought aid from God in prayer.
Darkness had come upon him before
his soul was prepared to meet the
brother he had wronged.
Jacob recalled Gods promises at
Bethel but he had never met Him face
to face When the hand of the wrestler
was placed upon him that night, Jacob
did not know with whom he was fight
ing but as 1t continued on, it became
evident that it was the crucial conflict
of his whole life. There was more
than a physical struggle going on that
night for Jacob realized his weakness
ana needs. If he was to fulfill his mis-
sion as the religious leader of his
family, he needed a spiritual experience.
His prayer at Peniel was a revelation
of his longing to know Jehovah and
obtain His blessing. There was no de-
sire for any financial or personal bless
ing. The moment he surrendered to
God, Jacob became a changed man
One can not do spiritual work without
a spiritual experience. Before Jacob
could become reconciled to his brother.
he had to be mastered by the Lord
This came after wrestling all night and
there was given unto him a new name
He learned when he sought the name
of the one who had mastered him, and
it was refused, that he had wreStled
all night with none other than God
From that hour he was changed man
and was fitted to become reconc1ed to
his brother Esau.
Students of modern conditions are
coming more and more to realize that
the perils OF civilization at this hour
are largely due to the fact that men