Wrestling with GodWrestling with God

Genesis 32:1-32Genesis 32:1-32

Catching Up to the PastCatching Up to the Past

► Can we ever escape the past and not reap Can we ever escape the past and not reap what we’ve sown?what we’ve sown?

We try to forget our sins, but our sins don’t We try to forget our sins, but our sins don’t forget us forget us

Jacob was forgiven by God, but neither time nor Jacob was forgiven by God, but neither time nor geography can change the consequencesgeography can change the consequences

► Conflicts between Conflicts between Faith and fearFaith and fear Trusting God and schemingTrusting God and scheming Asking God for help and then acting as though Asking God for help and then acting as though

we don’t even know Godwe don’t even know God► How do we deal with crisis in life?How do we deal with crisis in life?

What can we learn from Jacob?What can we learn from Jacob?

Fear of the Unknown Fear of the Unknown Genesis 32:1-8Genesis 32:1-8

► From Laban to EsauFrom Laban to Esau 20 years before, Jacob had fled from Esau to 20 years before, Jacob had fled from Esau to

LabanLaban Now he was fleeing Laban to be confronted by Now he was fleeing Laban to be confronted by

Esau! Esau! Jacob headed toward Bethel, the place God had Jacob headed toward Bethel, the place God had

appointed for him to goappointed for him to go► Eventually he had to meet EsauEventually he had to meet Esau► Proverbs 18:19 “A brother offended is harder to win Proverbs 18:19 “A brother offended is harder to win

than a strong city”than a strong city”

Jacob sent messengers ahead to tell his brother Jacob sent messengers ahead to tell his brother that he was comingthat he was coming

Jacob took things into his own handsJacob took things into his own hands

God’s ProtectionGod’s Protection

► Imagine Jacob’s surprise when he saw an Imagine Jacob’s surprise when he saw an army of angels before him! army of angels before him!

““This is God’s host [army]!”This is God’s host [army]!” He called the place “Mahanaim” = “the two He called the place “Mahanaim” = “the two

camps” camps” ► Jacob’s camp and God’s campJacob’s camp and God’s camp

Twenty years before, Jacob had seen the angels Twenty years before, Jacob had seen the angels at Bethel and learned that God was with him - at Bethel and learned that God was with him - 28:10-1228:10-12

Now God’s angels were there to protect him and Now God’s angels were there to protect him and fight for himfight for him

Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, who can be Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, who can be against us?”against us?”

Jabbok RiverJabbok River

Faith or Fear?Faith or Fear?

► The messengers returned The messengers returned Esau and 400 men were coming to meet JacobEsau and 400 men were coming to meet Jacob Jacob expected the worstJacob expected the worst A guilty conscience often makes us see the darkest A guilty conscience often makes us see the darkest

possible picturepossible picture

► When faith is crowded out by fear, we usually start When faith is crowded out by fear, we usually start scheming and trusting our own resourcesscheming and trusting our own resources

““I’ve found a wonderful verse to help me overcome fear” - I’ve found a wonderful verse to help me overcome fear” - Psalm 56:3: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee”Psalm 56:3: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee”

Moody - “I can give you a better promise, Isaiah 12:2 - Moody - “I can give you a better promise, Isaiah 12:2 - Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid” Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid”

Faith or Fear?Faith or Fear?

► Believers walking by faith should not Believers walking by faith should not fear the enemy fear the enemy

Psalms 112:7 “He shall not be afraid of evil Psalms 112:7 “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” Lord”

Jacob was “greatly afraid and distressed” - Jacob was “greatly afraid and distressed” - Genesis 32:7Genesis 32:7► Turned to his old ways of schemingTurned to his old ways of scheming► Did not remember God’s angelsDid not remember God’s angels► Divided his camp into two bands so that if one Divided his camp into two bands so that if one

group was attacked, the other group could group was attacked, the other group could escapeescape

The Basis of Prayer and Faith The Basis of Prayer and Faith Genesis 32:9-12Genesis 32:9-12

► Jacob’s prayer Jacob’s prayer One of the great prayers recorded in ScriptureOne of the great prayers recorded in Scripture Yet his faith was very weakYet his faith was very weak

► The prayer says The prayer says Jacob had a profound knowledge of God’s Jacob had a profound knowledge of God’s

ways and God’s characterways and God’s character Yet he was praying in desperation and not in Yet he was praying in desperation and not in

confidenceconfidence

► Give God a reason why He should answer Give God a reason why He should answer when you praywhen you pray

Jacob’s PrayerJacob’s Prayer

► God’s covenant - Genesis 32:9aGod’s covenant - Genesis 32:9a God in His grace had called Abraham and made a God in His grace had called Abraham and made a

covenant with him (12:1-3), and that covenant was covenant with him (12:1-3), and that covenant was affirmed both to Isaac and to Jacobaffirmed both to Isaac and to Jacob

Today we approach the throne of grace through Jesus Today we approach the throne of grace through Jesus Christ on the basis of the New Covenant that He made Christ on the basis of the New Covenant that He made through His own blood (Hebrews 8:6-13; 12:22-24)through His own blood (Hebrews 8:6-13; 12:22-24)

► God’s command - Genesis 32:9bGod’s command - Genesis 32:9b It was God’s idea that he leave Padan Aram and return to It was God’s idea that he leave Padan Aram and return to

his own land - 31:13his own land - 31:13 God’s commandment always involves God’s enablementGod’s commandment always involves God’s enablement The will of God will never lead us where the power of God The will of God will never lead us where the power of God

can’t protect us and provide for uscan’t protect us and provide for us

Jacob’s PrayerJacob’s Prayer

► God’s covenant - Genesis 32:9a God’s covenant - Genesis 32:9a ► God’s command - Genesis 32:9bGod’s command - Genesis 32:9b► God’s care - Genesis 32:10God’s care - Genesis 32:10

Jacob reviewed the past twenty years and Jacob reviewed the past twenty years and reminded God of the wonderful way He had reminded God of the wonderful way He had cared for himcared for him

God had been faithful in every trial that came God had been faithful in every trial that came to Jacobto Jacob

Why would God care for him for twenty years Why would God care for him for twenty years and then leave him with no help? and then leave him with no help?

Jacob’s PrayerJacob’s Prayer

► God’s covenant - Genesis 32:9a God’s covenant - Genesis 32:9a ► God’s command - Genesis 32:9bGod’s command - Genesis 32:9b► God’s care - Genesis 32:10God’s care - Genesis 32:10► God’s purposes - Genesis 32:11God’s purposes - Genesis 32:11

Jacob wasn’t thinking only of himself, but he had Jacob wasn’t thinking only of himself, but he had his family and God’s great plan in mind as wellhis family and God’s great plan in mind as well► Through Jacob’s sons God would bring blessing to all Through Jacob’s sons God would bring blessing to all

peoplepeople► The Savior would come from the tribe of Judah and die The Savior would come from the tribe of Judah and die

for the sins of the worldfor the sins of the world► Paul would come from the tribe of Benjamin and carry Paul would come from the tribe of Benjamin and carry

the Gospel to the Gentiles the Gospel to the Gentiles God will not allow His eternal purpose to fail!God will not allow His eternal purpose to fail!

Jacob’s PrayerJacob’s Prayer

► God’s covenant - Genesis 32:9a God’s covenant - Genesis 32:9a ► God’s command - Genesis 32:9bGod’s command - Genesis 32:9b► God’s care - Genesis 32:10God’s care - Genesis 32:10► God’s purposes - Genesis 32:11God’s purposes - Genesis 32:11► God’s promise - Genesis 32:12God’s promise - Genesis 32:12

Jacob reminded the Lord of the promises He Jacob reminded the Lord of the promises He had made to him at Bethel - 28:12-15had made to him at Bethel - 28:12-15► I am with youI am with you► I will keep youI will keep you► I will bring you backI will bring you back► I will not leave youI will not leave you

Jacob’s PrayerJacob’s Prayer

► Don’t imitate Jacob’s fear, unbelief, and Don’t imitate Jacob’s fear, unbelief, and scheming, but you should pray the way he scheming, but you should pray the way he prayed!prayed!

Remember God’s covenantRemember God’s covenant Remember God’s commandRemember God’s command Remember God’s care in the pastRemember God’s care in the past Remember God’s purposesRemember God’s purposes Remember God’s promisesRemember God’s promises

► Rest completely on who God’s character Rest completely on who God’s character and covenant and covenant

We can trust God to be faithful to His character We can trust God to be faithful to His character and His Word - “I will trust and not be afraid”and His Word - “I will trust and not be afraid”

Jacob’s Lack of Faith Jacob’s Lack of Faith Genesis 32:13-21Genesis 32:13-21

► A prayer with that kind of solid theological content A prayer with that kind of solid theological content should have brought God’s peace to Jacob’s heart, should have brought God’s peace to Jacob’s heart, but it didn’tbut it didn’t

► Faith is what was missing!Faith is what was missing! He decided to put together an expensive gift of 580 He decided to put together an expensive gift of 580

valuable animals valuable animals He divided them into separate herds and commanded He divided them into separate herds and commanded

the herdsmen to keep a space between each herd so the herdsmen to keep a space between each herd so that Esau couldn’t help but be impressedthat Esau couldn’t help but be impressed

Each of the herdsmen was to make the same speech to Each of the herdsmen was to make the same speech to Esau: “They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift Esau: “They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau” - v. 18sent to my lord Esau” - v. 18

Jacob planned to follow behind the last herd, hoping that Jacob planned to follow behind the last herd, hoping that the gifts would prepare Esau to forgive him and welcome the gifts would prepare Esau to forgive him and welcome him when they finally methim when they finally met

Jacob’s Lack of Faith Jacob’s Lack of Faith Genesis 32:13-21Genesis 32:13-21

► Faith Faith Acting on God’s commands Acting on God’s commands Living without schemingLiving without scheming

► Examine our own hearts - guilty of praying and then Examine our own hearts - guilty of praying and then depending on our own schemes and resourcesdepending on our own schemes and resources

► James 2:20 “faith without works is dead” James 2:20 “faith without works is dead” but Jacob’s gift wasn’t a work of faith because God didn’t but Jacob’s gift wasn’t a work of faith because God didn’t

command itcommand it► Romans 10:17 says true faith is based on God’s WordRomans 10:17 says true faith is based on God’s Word► Romans 14:23 says whatever we do that isn’t Romans 14:23 says whatever we do that isn’t

motivated by faith is sinmotivated by faith is sin Jacob’s real problem was not Esau - Jacob’s Jacob’s real problem was not Esau - Jacob’s

problem was Jacob!problem was Jacob!

God’s Principles of ChangeGod’s Principles of ChangeGenesis 32:22-32Genesis 32:22-32

► Principle #1 - Get alone with God Principle #1 - Get alone with God Genesis 32:22-26Genesis 32:22-26 Jacob moved his family across the river to Jacob moved his family across the river to

what he hoped was a safe placewhat he hoped was a safe place Now Jacob was aloneNow Jacob was alone

► God often wants to do something personal in God often wants to do something personal in us and He needs to get us alone with Him to do us and He needs to get us alone with Him to do itit

► Twenty years before, Jacob had met the Lord Twenty years before, Jacob had met the Lord when he was alone at Bethel; and now God when he was alone at Bethel; and now God graciously came to him again in his hour of graciously came to him again in his hour of needneed

► Jacob discovered that he’d spent his life Jacob discovered that he’d spent his life fighting God and resisting His willfighting God and resisting His will

Wrestling with the Angel of Wrestling with the Angel of GodGod

► It wasn’t a physical battle, It wasn’t a physical battle, but an emotional and but an emotional and spiritual battle that night spiritual battle that night It was a battle withinIt was a battle within Hosea 12 - same word is Hosea 12 - same word is

used for prayer and weepingused for prayer and weeping Much prayer and weeping Much prayer and weeping

that night as God stripped that night as God stripped away everything superficial away everything superficial in Jacob’s lifein Jacob’s life

Jacob was not willing to just Jacob was not willing to just have a religion -- He wanted have a religion -- He wanted God!God!

God’s Principles of ChangeGod’s Principles of ChangeGenesis 32:22-32Genesis 32:22-32

► Principle #2 -- Get real with God Principle #2 -- Get real with God (Genesis 32:27-32)(Genesis 32:27-32)

More than anything else, Jacob wanted the More than anything else, Jacob wanted the blessing of the Lord on his lifeblessing of the Lord on his life

► Before we can be what God wants us to be, we have to Before we can be what God wants us to be, we have to get realistic and admit what we are in ourselvesget realistic and admit what we are in ourselves

““What is your name?” What is your name?” ► The last time Jacob was asked that question, he told a The last time Jacob was asked that question, he told a

lie! lie! ► His father asked, “Who are you, my son?” and Jacob His father asked, “Who are you, my son?” and Jacob

said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn” - 27:18-19said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn” - 27:18-19 That question meant more than simply what That question meant more than simply what

people called himpeople called him► Jacob had always lived up to his name: a schemer and Jacob had always lived up to his name: a schemer and

a deceivera deceiver► ““Are you going to continue living up to your name, or Are you going to continue living up to your name, or

will you admit what you are and let Me change you?” will you admit what you are and let Me change you?”

God’s Principles of ChangeGod’s Principles of ChangeGenesis 32:22-32Genesis 32:22-32

► Principle #3 -- Get changed by GodPrinciple #3 -- Get changed by God In the Bible, receiving a new name signifies In the Bible, receiving a new name signifies

making a new beginning, and this was Jacob’s making a new beginning, and this was Jacob’s opportunity to make a fresh start in lifeopportunity to make a fresh start in life

““Israel,” from a Hebrew word that means “to Israel,” from a Hebrew word that means “to struggle”struggle”

► ““one who wrestles with God” or “God strives” one who wrestles with God” or “God strives” ► The explanation in verse 28 is that Jacob had gained The explanation in verse 28 is that Jacob had gained

power because he prevailedpower because he prevailed► He lost the battle but won the victory! He lost the battle but won the victory! ► 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - Like Paul, Jacob became 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - Like Paul, Jacob became

strong only when he became weakstrong only when he became weak

Peniel = “The Face of God”Peniel = “The Face of God”

► Once again Jacob gave a special name to a Once again Jacob gave a special name to a significant place, this time Peniel [Penuelsignificant place, this time Peniel [Penuel

He thought that seeing God’s face would bring He thought that seeing God’s face would bring death, but it actually brought him new lifedeath, but it actually brought him new life

It was the dawning of a new day for Israel/JacobIt was the dawning of a new day for Israel/Jacob► He had a new nameHe had a new name► He had a new walk (he was limping)He had a new walk (he was limping)► He had a new relationship with God that would help He had a new relationship with God that would help

him face and solve any problem, if only he would him face and solve any problem, if only he would exercise faithexercise faith

► Just in time!Just in time! The great test was about to come, for Esau had The great test was about to come, for Esau had

arrived on the scenearrived on the scene But now Jacob was ready to meet EsauBut now Jacob was ready to meet Esau

God Wants to Change Us!God Wants to Change Us!

► Get alone and get real with GodGet alone and get real with God The next thing that WILL happen is The next thing that WILL happen is

changechange► Jacob wrestled all night long with the Jacob wrestled all night long with the

angel of God - Jesusangel of God - Jesus He would not let go of God’s presence He would not let go of God’s presence

until he established without a doubt until he established without a doubt whom God was going to be in his lifewhom God was going to be in his life

Nothing else mattered! Nothing else mattered! It changed his whole life!It changed his whole life!

““How about me?”How about me?”

► Are you ready to do business with God like that? Are you ready to do business with God like that? Do you want God that much? Do you want God that much?

► If you are willing -- He is willing - and your life is If you are willing -- He is willing - and your life is going to be differentgoing to be different

““I’m not sure about that” - Neither was JacobI’m not sure about that” - Neither was Jacob ““I’ve never done that before” - Neither did JacobI’ve never done that before” - Neither did Jacob ““I don’t see how......” - Like Jacob, you don’t have to see I don’t see how......” - Like Jacob, you don’t have to see

beyond your need for God. beyond your need for God. You only have to see that you need and want Him more You only have to see that you need and want Him more

than anything elsethan anything else Grab hold of God and don’t let go!Grab hold of God and don’t let go! You will never walk the same again!You will never walk the same again!