January 22, 2023

Jacob wrestles with God

Preacher:
Passage: Genesis 32:22-32
Service Type:

Introduction

Have you had a deep encounter with the living God?
Today we meet with Jacob who had known 2 significant spiritual experiences:

Bethel
Mahanaim

Today considering his experience at Peniel

The greatest experience he had ever known

We do not look for experiences as Christians

We do seek after God
We might be put in a situation where we really need to seek after God
God in His grace often meets us in times of weakness

A great experience for Jacob

A physical manifestation – a permanent limp as his hip was put out of joint
A great testimony

Overview:

Alliteration of a theme

A Time of Crisis

The biggest crisis he had ever faced – his brother had vowed to kill him

His dreams could not have been pleasant and his thoughts likely dark

He had sent messengers ahead but only received a message that Esau was coming with 400 men

He sent gifts ahead, hoping to appease his brother
Jacob realises this plan is not enough – he seeks God in prayer

He wants to be alone (v22-24)

He wants to seek the face of God

What do you do in a crisis?

We have a part to play – not to do nothing!

But this does not help with stress or pain
A solution may not be in our hands

Do we spend time alone with God?

Do we pray?

Example of Jesus Christ

He spent much time in prayer
How much more ought we to seek the face of God in crisis

A Time of Conflict

A man came to wrestle/contend with him – this was a night of conflict
This represented his life

He struggled against Esau in the womb
He outwit Esau to gain the birthright
He struggled with Laban for 20 years

Now a Man comes to contend with him

It goes on until the break of day
At some point – he realises he is fighting with God (v30)

This Man is the Angel of the Lord

He speaks as God (not a messenger from God)
People fall down and worship Him (it is blasphemy to worship an angel)
This is Jesus Christ – who appeared on rare occasions

Example of Moses, Joshua and Manoah (and his wife)

Why has the Son of God come to fight with Jacob?

He comes in an appropriate way
Example of Joshua and Moses
He comes as a warrior as Jacob is a usurper and supplantor

He needs to realise his strength is no match from the Son of God
He needs to realise he cannot rely on his own strength any more

Often God comes to us in conflict and wants to realise our weakness and rely on His strength

Do you resist the Spirit of God at times of conflict?
Do you allow God to have His way?

A Time of Crippling

Although he did not initially like the outdoor life – he was strong

He was a shepherd for 20 years
He removed the stone over the well when he met Rachel
He seemed to prevail over the Man at the start …

The Man only had to touch Jacob’s hip socket and it was out of joint

He is crippled (v31)

Why would God cripple a man?

He is the God of healing
He permits suffering in His goodness

Example of Paul
So we do not become exalted or proud
So that in our weakness we trust in God

We must not think that God is against but He has a purpose

A Time of Clinging

Jacob clung to the Man and would not let him go

Jacob had been tenacious all his life
His tenacity had to be redirected – not to pursuing God but His blessings

Example of Dai Hankey

Is our energy going in the wrong direction?

Jesus’ teaching about prayer

We are commanded to ask, seek and knock
Parable #1 – to keep knocking
Parable #2 – to not give up

Do we give up too easily in prayer or do we cling to God?

A Time of Confession

The Man asks Jacob his name

Jacob’s name meant deceiver, cheat, twister, etc
He is confessing to these character traits

As he confesses – his name is changed (v28)

He is no longer this person
God blesses him at the time of confession

A Time of Conquest

A time of conquest, of victory – of a new name

Example of Peter and Paul
Names (particularly in the Old Testament) represented character

A Time of Communion

Jacob asks for the Man’s name and is blessed by God (v29)

It is a time of blessing
It is a time of intimacy

He says he has seen the face of God
Hosea 12:3-4

He found favour with God

Closing Remarks

How does this apply to us?

Get alone with God
Jacob had three experiences with God

We do not expect these experiences but we know God will draw near to us

Example of Jesus Christ

We are to look to Jesus
He is the full manifestation of God
He can come and strengthen us
He forgives us
He sanctifies us

Turn your eyes to Jesus – look full in His wonderful face

Closing Prayer