Ok, Ok, you’re probably wondering what the title of this sermon is all about. Well, the
letters “WWF” don’t stand for the World Wrestling Federation. They stand for Wrestling
With the Father.
And today’s message is about a man who did just that. Jacob wrestled with the Lord. And
although he didn’t exactly win the match, he won a whole lot more. Let’s read about it.
WWF
Genesis 32:22-32
Have you ever been in a wrestling match? Most of the guys here today have probably
wrestled before, at least for fun. It’s kind of a guy thing to do. I used to wrestle once and
awhile with my dad, until finally I got too big for him.
At camp this summer, I wrestled with some of our boys during swim time (remember
Jophet?) Just the other day, my girls and I were in a swimming pool and I wrestled with them.
And you know something? I think I’m getting old. I used to throw the kids around so easily, but
now I have to work at it! And now, when I’m finished these wrestling matches, I’m wiped out!
But can you imagine what it would be like to be in a wrestling match with God? Talk about
being worn out!
Yet, that’s exactly what Jacob did.
This is a strange and inticing passage of Scripture. As one Bible commentator said, “This
passage raises more questions than answers.” Yet there are some basic truths about Jacob’s
experience that I believe are worth while learning.
So let’s examine some of these truths about Jacob’s wrestling match with God.
I IT WAS A NECESSARY EXPERIENCE
A Did you notice that Jacob did not initiate this wrestling match?
1. The man approached him.
2. By all indications, the Lord was the one who started it! He provoked the struggle!
B Now, the question begs to be asked, “Why did the Lord want to wrestle with Jacob?”
1. Well, I don’t know if we can completely answer that question, but we do know this. IT
WAS SOMETHING THAT GOD WANTED TO DO!
2. We should know that God wants to be actively engaged in our lives.
C This wrestling match was not only something that God wanted, but it was something that
Jacob needed. (EXPLAIN)
1. It was the night before Jacob’s reunion with his brother Esau.
2. The last time Jacob saw Esau was shortly after he had tricked him out of his
birthright. The last words he heard from Esau were “I’m going to kill you.”
3. So Jacob was going back to “face the music” after years of self imposed exile. He was
scared. He didn’t know what his brother would do.
4. But more than that, I believe Jacob really needed to know that he could be
legitimately blessed.
a. He had been such a “schemer”. His whole life was marked by getting into trouble
and then running away.
b. I think Jacob was tired of running. THIS WAS AN EMOTIONAL TIME FOR HIM!
D Although we may not enjoy such times, we too have our wrestling matches with God. And
we NEED these times.
1. Sometimes we wrestle with God over problems we don’t understand.
2. Sometimes we wrestle with God over His will for our lives.
3. Sometimes we wrestle with God because of questions that haunt us.
4. Sometimes we wrestle with God (like Jacob) because of a deep desire for blessing.
E You see, God wants us to persist, to engage with him, to wrestle Him for blessings!
1. Ie Wednesday study on Jabez’ Prayer.
2. Jesus talked about the power of persisting with God in a parable.
(Retell the story of the Unjust Judge)
3. Jesus said in Matthew 7: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock
and the door will be opened to you.” (Lit. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.)
F Is there something you need from God? Then wrestle with Him! Strive for His blessing!
Don’t give up until you get your answer!!
II IT WAS A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE
A This blows my mind when I think about it. Jacob actually wrestled with God.
B Ok, Ok... there may be some here who are wondering “How do we know that Jacob
wrestled with God? After all, it says he wrestled with a man.” LET’S LOOK AT THE
INTERNAL EVIDENCE.
1. This “MAN” crippled Jacob with just one touch! v 25
2. Jacob asked the man for a “blessing”. v26
3. This stranger wouldn’t tell Jacob His name, but spoke with authority. v29
4. Jacob obviously understood who this was because in verse 30 he said, “I have seen God
face to face.”
5. Most Bible scholars believe that the stranger was a “theophany” (God in human form).
C What an absolutely humbling experience. TO WRESTLE WITH GOD!
D One question that a lot of people ask about this passage, is “How could a man possible hold
his ground with God in a wrestling match?”
1. To me, the answer is obvious. God let Jacob prevail.
2. Illustration. When I arm-wrestle Jr. High kids. I “toy” with them for a bit. I let them
prevail for a short while.
3. And I’m sure Jacob could sense that. He knew he was “IN OVER HIS HEAD”.
E God humbled Jacob. He touched the socket of his hip and it immediately shrank.
1. I.e. Jack Steele said “I don’t ever trust a man that doesn’t limp.” I think he was joking,
but there is some truth to it.
2. From this point on, Jacob KNEW FOR SURE who was in control.
III IT WAS A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE
A Jacob gained a new name.
1. He was born with the name “Jacob” because he came out grabbing onto his
brother’s heel.
2. The name “Jacob” means “Grabber, or Usurper”. It’s not a nice name but it was an
accurate one.
3. But in one night, Jacob went from Deceiver to Believer. He went from “Schemer”
to ISRAEL which means “A Prince With God”.
B Jacob gained a new life.
1. Jacob finally got to go HOME to his own country.
2. As it turned out, his brother was NOT angry with them and they were happily
reunited!
C Jacob gained a new walk.
1. He limped from that day forward.
2. It will cost you something to encounter God. You’ll never walk the same way again!
D Jacob gained a new power with God.
1. God called him a “Prince”
2. God actually admired Jacob because he refused to let go!
3. So, why don’t you do the same?
4. Consider this. JACOB WOULD NEVER HAVE FOUND THIS NEW POWER WITH
GOD HAD HE NOT HAD THIS PERSONAL “WRESTLING MATCH”
CONCLUSION: I knew a young man once who was involved in a wrestling match with God. God
wanted him to be involved in full time ministry. But he didn’t want that. He thought he would
become a football player instead. >> The young man struggled, but insisted on his own course,
that is, until he had an accident that tore his shoulder out of it’s socket.
But I’m glad God won that wrestling match, because I might not be preaching today, if God
didn’t care enough to get involved.
A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:
1. Does God need to wrestle with you about something in your life?
>If it concerns something God wants you to do, you better go into submission!
2. Is there something you need to wrestle with God over?
>Is there a blessing you need? An answer? Reassurance? God’s presence? God’s power?
> Grab hold of God and don’t let go!
