Jacob Wrestles With God Series

A profession of faith in Christ is not an end in itself. It is the beginning of a pilgrimage. Along the way there will be defining moments and spiritual highlights. For Jacob his defining moment was at Peniel. The meaning of Peniel is the face of God.

Peniel was a place where Jacob reached brokenness. He lost all self-sufficiency and depended completely on God. This was a time for Jacob of genuine soul searching and spiritual struggle. It was also a significant time of knowing God’s grace. Jacob was alone with God.

It was a time the Lord blessed Jacob. Jacob is alone with God. It is the time Jacob wrestles with the Lord, seeks the Lord’s blessing. B. H. Carrol said of Genesis 32, “This is a passage to spend the night on.”

Jacob was born the second of twins, his twin brother Esau was the older. When Jacob and Esau were in the womb they jostled in Rebekah’s womb. Rebekah asked the Lord what was happening in her womb and the Lord spoke to Rebekah. The LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23)

Jacob capitalized on Esau’s weakness and sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. He later deceived his father Isaac to receive the blessing he intended to give to Esau. Jacob received the blessing not because of his deceit but in spite of it.

Esau was the rugged outdoorsman and had a temper and was directing his wrath toward Jacob. Jacob put self-first and forced him to flee penniless as a fugitive. Jacob reached a low point and then had an experience with God at Bethel.

This experience is known as Jacob’s ladder. It was the spiritual conversion experience for Jacob. He vowed to serve God from that time on and he vowed to tithe to the Lord. He was not only fleeing from Esau, but his mother arranged that he go to Haran to find a wife.

Upon reaching Haran Jacob first met Rachael and then the brother of his mother, uncle Laban. He deceived Jacob. He agreed to work 7 years to marry Rachael. Laban then gave Jacob Leah to Mary and Jacob had to work another 7 years for a total of 14 years to marry Rachael. During that time Laban changed Jacob’s wages ten times.

God blessed Jacob with his many children and large flocks of animals. As Jacob grew more and more prosperous the attitude of Laban changed toward Jacob. Laban’s sons were jealous of Jacob too. God told Jacob to leave Haran and return to his homeland. Returning meant he would be facing Esau who may still hold a grudge against his brother.

Jacob left Haran secretly without telling his father-in-law Laban. Laban was upset that Jacob left secretly and chased him down and confronted him. Before they parted ways they set up an altar to God as a witness between them. Now all is settled with Laban.

Jacob will be returning home after 20 years back to where Esau lived. It had been a long time since Jacob deceived his father to receive the blessing due Esau, but it may be very fresh on Esau’s mind. Jacob feared for his life. Esau was waiting with 400 men.

Jacob had great fear and distress.

In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. (Genesis 32:7)

Jacob prayed to God in his distress.

Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, LORD, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ (Genesis 32:9)

Jacob declares his own unworthiness.

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. (Genesis 32:10)

Jacob asked God to spare him, based on the promises God had made.

Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’” (Genesis 32:11-12)

Jacob prayed to God, and he also did what he could do. Jacob sent ahead gifts for Esau. He divided his family in two groups and sent them including his eleven sons across the Jabbok River. Jacob waited alone in the quietness of the desert, he alone with the Lord.