We are living in tremendously challenging times as we look around and see things happening on a daily basis around the world that does not seem to “make sense”, and even as Christians we are prone to look at the “bad news” without giving much thought to the good news.
The Bible makes it clear that we are going to have trials and difficulties in this world, but also provides a ray of sunshine in the midst of the difficulty.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I don’t know about you, but there are simply times that I do not understand the ways of God!
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We as Christians must have a level of trust that exceeds our doubts, calms our fears, and gives hope even in situations that seem hopeless.
Some people live by their daily horoscope, others by the daily issue of the Wall Street Journal, still others live by their feelings, and others just live to survive another day.
I believe that if there is any group of people today that need to show and exude confidence, it is the Christian because we live by the never-changing Word of Almighty God!
It is amazing that there are times we feel that for some reason we are the only ones going through the trial, and that somehow God has continued the journey forgetting that we are still in the boat!
For the next 3 weeks, I want to preach a series of messages entitled, “How To Stand When You Do Not Understand”.
In other words, how can I keep the faith even as others are seemingly losing out with God, and I am being tempted to do the same?
What lessons can be learned from the Word of God that will cause me to take comfort and strength in the God of yesterday, and believe that He is still the same God today as He always has been?
Today, we are going to look at the life of Jacob as we preach on:
STANDING IN THE MIDST OF FAILURE
Next Sunday, we are going to look at the life of Peter and:
STANDING IN THE MIDST OF FAITHLESSNESS
On the following Sunday, we are going to look at the life of David and:
STANDING IN THE MIDST OF FEAR
In each one of these cases, we see there are 3 elements to each difficulty and trial these men of God went through:
1. The Test
2. The Travail
3. The Triumph
I believe that we too are confronted with moments of Failure, Faithlessness and Fear, and that we too will go through The Test, The Travail, and IF we stay true to God, The Triumph!
How do we avoid getting swept away with the current? How can we stay true even when God doesn’t seem to make sense to us and our own actions do not testify to the truth we really believe?
The very first area we are going to look at today is
STANDING IN THE MIDST OF FAILURE
When we think about the men and women in the Word of God, we often do not think of the word “failure”, however, we need to know that on more occasions than not, each one dealt with areas of failure in their lives just like you and I.
There is not one of us here today that enjoy failing at something we are attempting to accomplish, however, as sure as we are breathing, we are going to fail at many of the things we attempt to do.
I have said it before, but in Major League baseball, if a batter fails to get a hit 7 out of 10 times, he still may have the opportunity to make it to the Hall of Fame.
One of the greatest tricks of the enemy is to convince the Christian that if they have tried and failed at something in the past whether it be in family, or ministry, or relationships on the job, then they are doomed to “be” a failure for the remainder of their lives.
We’re going to look at a very “human” human by the name of Jacob today. We are going to see the Test he went through, as well as the Travail, and of course the Triumph at the end.
First of all today, we see:
I. THE TEST – Jacob Deceives His Family
The Bible makes it very clear right from the outset that this little tyke that was born as part of the twin duo of Jacob and Esau was going to be a challenge.
Genesis 25:21-26
Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. [22] The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of the Lord.
[23] 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."
[24] When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. [25] The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. [26] After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
We still see this struggle going on between nations in the Middle East today, and it was because of the initial failure of Abraham to ultimately believe the promise of God that he took Hagar his servant to have a child instead of waiting until God’s time was right. We know that Issac was born to Sarah at the age of 90 years old.
Without going into this too far, we know that according to Genesis 28:8 - 9, where "Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father Isaac; and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth." So, on top of Abraham’s sin resulting in what would become the modern Arab nation, we see Jacob’s sin against Esau being added to the mix as well, when Esau marries, it seems, his first cousin (the point being how close Esau was to Ishmael in the Arab family tree).
So here comes these two bouncing baby boys…Jacob and Esau – One was a Daddy’s boy, and the other was a Momma’s boy – One was a hunter, and the other was a homebody – It was clear that as the first born Esau caught the attention of his Dad, and Mom’s love was directed toward Jacob.
If this were today, then quite possibly Esau would have his own hunting show on ESPN, and Jacob would have a Cooking show on the Food Network.
Genesis 25:27-28
The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. [28] Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
First of all today under this topic of Jacob deceiving his family, we see
a. The Birthright Is Purchased
The Birthright was a very valued possession in that day, as the firstborn was the one who would receive the bulk of the family inheritance upon the passing of the Father.
Even though they were twins, Esau was still the firstborn, being the first one out of the womb, so the birthright was his to have one day rightfully.
We read in Genesis 25:29-34 - Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. [30] He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.)
[31] Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."
[32] "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"
[33] But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
[34] Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
Now, at first glance, we might look at this and say Esau is the one mainly at fault here in selling his birthright, or inheritance so willingly because of momentary hunger, and this is true.
However, we also need to take a look at the conniving actions of Jacob who saw a brother (literally) in need, and looked for a way to gain from the misery of another.
We live in a world today that can be very much like this indeed. Perhaps on the job there is a very competitive “cut-throat” environment where it seems that the only way to get ahead, is to step on the other guys head.
It seems that as you look around, others are cheating and getting ahead while you are doing the right thing, and getting further behind. The temptation is to begin cheating with the rest of them so that you too can enjoy some of the fruits they are enjoying.
The test came for Jacob at this point to either bless his brother for blessing sake, or bless his brother only with an eye to profit, and he flunked the test miserably.
His character was being developed, and hardened at every juncture such as this, and “who” he was becoming was not something God could be pleased with, and his failure is evident.
Not only was the Birthright Purchased, but we also see:
b. The Blessing Is Stolen – Gen. 27
In Deceiving His Family, not only we see that Jacob is a “conniver”, but we also see that he is a thief.
We read in Gen. 27 that Isaac was about to die, and he was blind, but he wanted to have “his last meal” before he died, so he called his son Esau to go out into the fields and kill a deer and bring it back to him prepared in the way that he loves it.
He promised him that after he took care of that he would then bless him, and die.
In those days, before the father died, he performed a ceremony of blessing, in which he officially handed over the birthright to the rightful heir. Although the firstborn son was entitled to the birthright, it was not actually his until the blessing was pronounced. Before the blessing was given, the father could take the birthright away from the oldest son and give it to a more deserving son. But after the blessing was given, the birthright could no longer be taken away. This is why fathers usually waited until late in life to pronounce the blessing. Although Jacob had been given the birthright by his older brother years before, he still needed his father’s blessing to make it binding.
Well Rebekah got wind of the whole thing, and told Jacob to go and kill a goat, so that she could prepare it, and then Jacob would disguise himself as Esau and officially get the blessing and the birthright while Esau was out “doing the right thing”.
In ancient times, a person’s word was “binding” and irrevocable, and quite like a contract, so once the blessing was given, there was no way of “undoing” it.
Here was Jacob once again setting himself up for what he thought was a victory, but in reality was another failure of waiting upon God’s perfect timing. Remember, he had already been promised the true blessing, but for some reason he and his mother thought they had to “help” God out.
There are times that even though we know that God’s timing is perfect, and His promises are true, we somehow have to “help” God with His promises. In this, we fail. In these times, we demonstrate our lack of trust in God, and our full trust in our own capabilities.
To make a long story short, Esau comes home to find that his blessing was stolen out from under him, and now Jacob has taken it all:
Genesis 27:36
Esau said, "Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!" Then he asked, "Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?"
Genesis 27:41
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
Jacob was warned by his mother that Esau was out to get him, so Jacob took off.
We know that he went to the house of Laban, and God richly blessed him there, and he worked a total of 14 years to marry the woman he loved in Rachel, and then we know that he had to leave, but once again he did so in a way that was right in line with who he was:
Genesis 31:20 - Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away.
2. THE TRAVAIL – Jacob Got Alone With God -
After Jacob left the household of Laban greatly increased with goods and family, the Bible lets us know that it was now time to “face the music” as he got word that his brother Esau was headed his way with no less than 400 men with him.
I am sure that Jacob’s mind wandered back to the many times he had taken advantage of his brother Esau, and he began to imagine that things were going to be very difficult for him when he and his brother met for the first time after all those years.
He began to wonder about the best way to approach his brother, so he thought that perhaps the best way would be to have gifts precede him.
Genesis 32:17-21
He instructed the one in the lead: "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ’To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ [18] then you are to say, ’They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’ "
[19] He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: "You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. [20] And be sure to say, ’Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’ " For he thought, "I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me." [21] So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.
Jacob knew that this was one time he was not going to be able to cheat or connive his way out of the situation he was now in.
He did not understand how he was going to stand in the midst of all his failures, however, he knew that God was available for him to call upon.
The Bible tells us that first of all:
a. He Separated Himself From His Greatest Possessions
Genesis 32:22-23
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. [23] After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. [24] So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
Jacob knew that he had to take the utmost care to ensure that his attention was fully focused upon God so, he took all the people, and things that meant the most to him, and sent them on ahead of him, while he stayed behind to Travail or intercede in prayer.
Did you know there are times that our possessions can get in the way of a right relationship with God? Did you know there are times that even our family can get in the way of a right relationship with God?
Here he was at a crisis point in his life, and he knew that getting alone with God meant more to him than any earthly thing, or any earthly relationship.
There are times that we find ourselves in a place of failure, and instead of looking to God for help, we continue to attempt to accumulate more things, or move from one relationship to another.
He looked around and realized that even though he was greatly blessed by God, his past failures continued to rise up and place a road block in his way whenever he began to make further progress.
He knew that this all had to come to a stop, especially with the prospect of meeting Esau the next day so not only did he Separate Himself From His Greatest Possessions:
b. He Sanctified Himself To A Great God
Genesis 32:24-26
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. [25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. [26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
Here he found himself wrapped up in a great struggle for the entire evening, and the Angel told him to “let me go, for the day breaketh” –
Jacob resolutely replied that I will NOT let thee go, except thou bless me.
One quality we see in Jacob in this situation is that he was “persistent” in his pursuit of a blessing from God. Strong character begins to develop as you struggle through difficulties and stay focused on your spiritual goals.
In the midst of failures of the past, his desire to set himself apart from his possessions and TO God ensured that he was going to experience victory.
So often, we live this Christian life, and find ourselves involved in failures or even struggles at times, and we begin to feel that if God really wanted me to have the blessing then there would be no struggle for it, when often it is just opposite of what God had in mind all along.
When the Angel said “the day breaketh” in effect he was saying, Esau is on the horizon! How bad do you want the blessing? The beginning and reminder of your failures waits with 400 men just across the brook…How much are you willing to sacrifice to have a genuine blessing?
So we see the Test as Jacob deceived his family, and we see the Travail as Jacob got alone with God, and now we see:
III. THE TRIUMPH – Jacob Became A Prince With God
Genesis 32:27-29
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. [28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. [29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
The Angel asked Jacob his name. Following the entire fight that evening, if ever there was a blow that struck the hardest, it was this one. Why, because the very name “Jacob” means Cheater, Supplanter, Deceiver.
In this seemingly insignificant moment of telling the Angel his name, the past came flooding to his mind as he remembered all the things he had done to rightfully “earn” his name, and he most likely replied with a sense of shame and regret, yet still believing that the blessing was on the way.
I believe that even though we may have a past that we regret, and can remember times of great failure, that we do not have to “go down for the count”, but we can “stand even when we do not understand” the ways of God, or even understand how we could be so foolish along the way.
In this very brief exchange, we see:
a. His Past Failures Were Erased
The angel told him your name is no longer going to be Cheater, Supplanter, or Deceiver, - In other words, Jacob, the past that has held on to you and condemned you at every turn along the way is truly in the past. You are about to have a name change, and you’re going to love your new name.
I believe today that the enemy of our souls would love to remind us of our past even when the past has been cast into the sea of God’s forgetfulness, never to be remembered by God anymore!
Someone said one time that when the Devil reminds you of your past, be sure to remind him of his future!
His persistence helped him to stand. His desire for the blessing kept him fighting, and his past was erased in a moment.
That is just what Jesus does for us when we come to Him at Salvation! Our past is forgotten, and our failures simply become opportunities for God to reveal His awesome strength and power.
Not only do we see His past failures being erased, we also see:
b. His Character Was Changed With His Name
We may be able to do a change on the outside through diets, makeovers, facelifts, lyposuctions, hair replacement, tummy tucks, and more, but there is only one who can change the inside of a person, and that is Jesus Christ!
Only one person can take a Cheater, and make him a Prince. Only one person can truly change the Character of a person, and that is Jesus Christ!
God gave many people we read about a new name to reflect their new Character:
Abram became Abraham
Sarai became Sarah
Simon became Peter
While none of us here can truly understand our failures, and why we were even involved in them in the first place, we can truly “stand” because we serve a God who knows how to wipe the past away, and bring a new dawning and a new day.
We may wrestle for the night, but we know also that when the day breaks, God will enable us for the journey that lies ahead.
Simply because you have failed, does not make you a failure!
You can STAND in spite of past failures!
