I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.—Gen. 32:10 (ESV)
Jacob had been gone from his homeland for over twenty years. When he fled from the wrath of Esau two decades earlier, he crossed the same Jordan River he was now wading through on this return trip. The first time he forded the waters he noted that he had nothing but a staff in his hand and anxiety in his heart, little knowing what his future held. This time, however, he was coming back with a huge menagerie of oxen, donkey, goats, camels, sheep, servants, wives, and children, clear evidence the God of his fathers had been with him and blessed him during a season of doubt.
He stopped to rest the night before his meeting. Not knowing how Esau would receive him, he divided all of his belongings into two separate camps. His thinking was that if Esau attacked one group, the other might be able to escape. It seems at this point that he took a reminiscent moment to reflect on what God had done in his life. He had gone away empty but God had brought him back with enough animals and people two make two complete groups. The name he assigned to this place reflected this moment of awe and wonder; he called in “Mahanaim,” or “two camps.”
How often do you take precious moments and ponder what God has done in you, to you, and through you? Most of God’s people are constantly looking at what they are not rather than what they are in Christ. Oh sure, there are a few folks who think they are God’s gift to mankind, but as a whole, most of us wish we could be more and do more for the sake of the kingdom.
It is when we take a look back, not in weeks or months but in years, that we get a more accurate view of the grace of God in our lives because little difference transpires on a daily basis but over time. Only after the fires of life have burned up all of our little idols do we get a genuine appreciation for the gold that God was refining all along.
Jacob had his own extremely hot days and some bone-chilling nights but his love for Rachel and the hope of a glorious future made the 14 years he worked for her seem like a few days in retrospect. Additionally, he ended up with love from Leah as well. (Gen. 31:14) The years 14 to 20 saw his submission to Laban’s unfair business practices rewarded with a windfall of financial blessing as God transferred much of his father-in-law’s wealth to him.
As you go throughout your homeschooling journey, remember God’s “steadfast love” is for you too. You may have started your schooling with little more than a staff in your hand and anxiety in your heart. As you continue faithful in what you do, there will be a day when you will be amazed at what God has done in your home and in the lives of your children.
Who knows? You may establish your own Mahanaim as you get an increasingly clearer perspective from the mount of years.
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