Wrestling with God.

October 28, 2020 (Wednesday)

 

What happens when we are trapped between two lives? The life we knew and the uncertain life ahead of us? Jacob is leaving a deceiving uncle only to run into the arms of a brother who has threatened to kill him.

 

What can we learn from Jacob’s life? Sometimes, it’s those in-between times when we meet God and this encounter can be very painful. Our story picks up in Genesis 32:1, “As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him.” [NLT]

 

Jacob NEEDS a sign, something, and anything at this point in his life. He’s left his life working for his uncle Laban. He was literally on the run from his brother. Now he is on the run from his uncle. Bridges have been burned, Jacob is on his own. Or is he?

 

Jacob sends word to Esau of his return. He asks Esau to be kind but, “The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We went out to your brother Esau, and he’s coming to meet you with four hundred men.” [Genesis 32:6 CEB] For us to understand the story, if these were 400 trained men, they would have been a formidable army for the day.

 

Jacob assumes this response is hostile. “Jacob was terrified and felt trapped, so he divided the people with him, and the flocks, cattle, and camels, into two camps.” [Genesis 32:7 CEB] His hope is one of the camps will survive the impending attack. Here is a desperate man. Desperate is good because God has his attention.

 

Jacob prays, for the first time in the story. His prayer is directed to the God of Abraham and Jacob. It includes a timeless truth as he admits, “I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant….” [Genesis 32:10a NLT] He admits his fear (Genesis 32:11) and throws himself on God’s promise (Genesis 32:12).

 

That night, Jacob spends the night alone in his camp. “But Jacob stayed apart by himself, and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke.” [Genesis 32:24 CEB] It seems whenever God wants to grab us by the throat, He gets us alone.

 

Despite being hurt (crippled by the injury), Jacob held on to the “man” through the night, insisting on a blessing. As day light came we find Jacob transformed. “Then he said, “Your name won’t be Jacob any longer, but Israel, because you struggled with God and with men and won.” [Genesis 32:28 CEB]

 

Jacob recognizes the LORD in this encounter. “Jacob named the place Peniel, “because I’ve seen God face-to-face, and my life has been saved.” [Genesis 32:30 CEB]

 

When God needs to do business with us, it will hurt. Transformation is not an easy thing. There are times when God offers us a choice; change or die. Or as Jesus said, “you must be born again.” [John 3:7b]

Father's Day, "the blessing"

Genesis 28:3 – 4

“The blessing”

 

Abraham may have been the “father of faith” but he left behind a conflicted family.  Even today, the world’s oldest civil war (Israel v Palestinians) comes from this conflict.  Isaac seeks to preserve the spiritual heritage of Abraham by passing on his blessing.

 

Between Isaac’s sons looms a dark sibling rivalry that has deepened from the one he’s experienced from his brother.  Even before birth the brothers have competed.  At one point the elder brother has sold his birthright to the younger brother.  This resulted in bitterness between them.

 

Isaac remembers the hostility from his family.  As his days near an end, he decides to settle the matter between his sons and pass on to them his blessing.  Unfortunately for him and his family, he as played favorites (which is a family curse), and intends to give his blessing according to his desires.

 

Into this father son conflict, comes a word of wisdom from the son’s mother.  It may seem like she is scheming but she does have a prophecy from the Lord that the older would serve the younger.

 

What is happening and why?  Let’s take a look at the story…

 

I.          God blessed Abraham.

 

A.        God intended something special to happen through Abraham.

 

1.         “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, [18] and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” [Genesis 22:17 – 18]

 

2.         This was to be a generational promise.  That would be the foundation for salvation offered through Jesus.

 

B.        This blessing is inherited spiritually.

 

1.         “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” [Galatians 3:14]

 

2.         The Bible does not record Abraham personally handing this down to Isaac.  (It doesn’t mean he did not, but the omission is glaring.)

 

3.         Isaac’s blessing is handed down personally… (it’s different than Abraham’s blessing)

 

II.        God blessed Isaac.

 

            A.        “After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac…” [Genesis 25:11a]

 

1.         God is said to have blessed people regularly. (Adam and Eve, Noah and his sons, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob… it’s a running thread in Genesis)

 

2.         This one is special because it distinguished between Ishmael and Isaac.

 

            B.         It may have been the regular practice of families to bless their children.

 

1.         “And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” [Genesis 24:60]  (Laben blessed his daughters and grandchildren in Genesis 31:55)

 

2.         Notice the “formula” used in this family: many children and victory over enemies.

 

III.       The conflict between Jacob and Esau comes to an ugly episode.  [Genesis 27]

 

            A.        Isaac creates the confusion with his request.

 

1.         “Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die." [5] Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, [6] Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau.” [27:4 – 6]

 

a.         Certainly Isaac knew what God had told Rebekah about the two.

 

“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.” [Genesis 25:23]

 

b.         It seemed like Isaac was not listening to God… and had determined to bless Esau.

 

However, God had another idea: “Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand: [12] not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger." [13] Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [Romans 9:11 – 13]

 

2.         Rebekah gives Jacob this advice: “Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: [9] Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. [10] Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.” [27:8 – 10]

 

a.         Rebekah has a plan.  (It is AMAZING she would think of this so quickly or stick so close to Isaac to know the exact moment he intended to pass down the blessing!)

 

b.         Rebekah’s details include her fixing the food the way Isaac liked, taking Esau’s best clothing, and covering his hands and neck with goat skin.  (Notice this meal included bread. Esau’s did not…)

 

            B.        Esau regrets his previous actions.

 

1.         “After Isaac finished blessing him and Jacob had scarcely left his father's presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. . . . When Esau heard his father's words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, "Bless me--me too, my father!" [35] But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing." [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?” [27:30, 34 – 36]

 

                                    a.         It sounds like Isaac can not change his mind, once given.

 

b.         However, the New Testament tells another story: “Afterward, as you know, when he (Esau) wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.” [Hebrews 12:17]  (In other words, Isaac COULD have changed his mind, but did not…)

 

                        2.         Regret is not repentance or change and the sibling feud deepens.

 

a.         “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.” [27:41]

 

b.         Esau becomes the ultimate illustration of “godless,” because he threw away something of eternal value (blessing) for something of this world (food).

 

“See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.” [Hebrews 12:16]

 

IV.       Ultimately Jacob ends up with Abraham’s blessing as well.

 

A.        Not only does Jacob have Isaac’s blessing but he is also officially given Abraham’s blessing as well.

 

                        1.         That makes him the “heir” of the promise.

 

2.         While Esau ended up with the family fortune, Jacob becomes “Israel.”

 

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? [37] Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” [Mark 8:36 – 37]

 

B.        The bottom line is that the blessing comes from and through a life of faith well lived before our children.

 

                        1.         You might think you have not accomplished much. 

 

2.         You feel you are just one link in the chain or a brink in the foundation.

 

Isaac did not accomplish “much.”  He was not the main character in great faith quests like Abraham, Jacob, or Joseph. 

 

However, Jacob did do ONE thing that earned him a spot on the list of those who did great things through faith.

 

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.” [Hebrews 11:20]

 

Fathers, if it is the last thing you do… make sure you do this one thing and do it well.  Bless your children.  Point them to faith in Jesus, bless them with the indwelling presence of Jesus, Son of God, Savior!  Very possibly their future and eternal destiny depends on your blessing.

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The Making of a Man

Genesis 27:41, 28:10 – 22, 29:20 – 27, 31:38 – 42, 31:1 – 3, 31, 21 – 24, 31:48 – 50, 32:22 – 32

The Making of a Man

Medical technology has allowed us to see into the brain and is demonstrating that men and women do physically think in different ways. Of course, that’s just catching up with our observations of Scripture.

Jacob was one example of a man that God directly shaped through the use of some interesting tools.

 

I.         God uses disruptions.

 

            A.        Esau disrupted Jacob’s sense of peace an security. [Gen. 27:41]

 

                        1.         Jacob and Esau were in constant conflict.

 

                                    a.         Esau sold his “birthright” for soup. (The birthright was the legal standing given to the first born to be head of the family.)

 

                                    b.         Jacob stole Isaac’s blessing. (The blessing was the prayer/prophecy of what and who the person was to become.)

 

                        2.         Esau eventually developed an attitude.

 

                                    a.         Jacob ran for his life. [Gen. 28:10]

 

                                    b.         This became a 20 year voyage of discovering God.

 

            B.        God used this disruption to get Jacob’s attention. [Gen. 28:11 – 22]

 

                        1.         Finally God gets Jacob alone.

 

                                    a.         Men have the ability to think of absolutely nothing OR only themselves (sometimes that’s the same thing).

 

                                    b.         At Jacob’s “lowest” point (hey, he’s using a rock for a pillow) God reveals Himself.

 

                                                1.)       Notice God takes the initiative.

 

                                                2.)       Notice God promises to do the work.

***** Sometimes men are a bit slower to catch on. Sometimes men have to be brought to the point of utter helplessness before we will listen to God. *****

 

III.      God uses conflict.

 

            A.        Laban becomes a friendly enemy of Jacob.

 

                        1.         Laban steals 20 years of Jacob’s life and work.

 

                                    a.         Jacob wanted Rachel but got Leah. [Gen. 29:20 – 27, 31:38 – 42]

(CAUTION: Men, it is ALWAYS a bad thing when we allow lust to rule our actions.)

 

                                    b.         Question: can anyone be this stupid?

 

                                                1.)       How do you mistake the ugly sister for the “drop dead gorgeous” one on you wedding night?

 

                                                2.)       Somehow Jacob must have been out of control, either drunk or self-absorbed.

 

                        2.         God steps in to direct Jacob. [Gen. 31:1 – 3]

 

                                    a.         In the space of 20 years...

 

                                                1.)       There is no record of God contacting Jacob.

 

                                                2.)       There is no record of God at work in Jacob OTHER THAN blessing his work (which both Laben and Jacob recognized).

 

                                    b.         Men tend to define themselves by two things:

 

                                                1.)        Their work. “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God. [Ecclesiastes 2:24] (BTW, I think this was meant to be a simple observation of a life without God, not a “truth statement.”)

 

                                                2.)       Their “wise” children. “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.” [Proverbs 10:1b,c]

 

            B.        God steps in to protect Jacob. [Gen. 31:21 – 24]

 

                        1.         Somehow Jacob is still depending on himself.

 

                                    a.         He “deceive” his uncle and runs.

 

                                    b.         Laban catches him in 7 days, after a 3 day head start... (Suspicion, Laban was unhappy when he started and very cranky when he caught Jacob.)

 

                        2.         God reveals His will to Laban.

 

                                    a.         “Say nothing good or bad...”

 

                                                1.)       First we talk, then we fight... some of us equate “lets talk with lets fight.”

 

                                                2.)       In other words, God cautioned Laben to not escalate the conflict.

 

                                    b.         Laban behaves himself. [Gen. 31:48 – 50]

 

                                                1.)       “Mizpah” means “watch tower.”

 

                                                2.)       “God is a witness between you and me.” [v 50]

 

III.      God uses transformation.

 

            A.        Transformation is not a one time event.

 

                        1.         It happens in significant moments and in daily progression.

 

                                    a.         Esau’s murderous threats, Laben’s greed and anger, Esau’s army...

 

                                    b.         Daily life of work... subtle blessings and realization of God’s blessings.

 

                        2.         Examples:

 

                                    a.         Moses became Moses through a series of significant events: murder, burning bush, the Exodus, and meeting God on the mountain.

 

                                    b.         John became John through daily contact with Jesus: He was a “son of thunder” but became “the apostle of love.”

 

                                    c.         Joshua became Joshua when he served as Moses’ aid, when he stated in the “tent of meeting” to pray, and when God appeared to him... the first two prepared him for the appointment to lead.

 

            B.        How does this work? [Gen. 32:22 – 32]

 

                        1.         Transformation happens through persistence not physical strength or skill.

 

                                    a.         Jacob is no match for the stranger (God).

 

                                    b.         Jacob has an intense desire (reason, purpose): “bless me.”

 

                                                1.)       Jacob goes from stealing to wanting God to give him the blessing.

 

                                                2.)       At this defining he takes his place with Abraham in the “chain of faith.”

 

                        2.         Transformation touches the entire person.

 

                                    a.         His name is changed. Abram becomes Abraham, Saul becomes Paul, Cephas becomes Peter... Jacob becomes Israel.

 

                                    b.         Those who are in Christ Jesus have a new name!

 

                                                1.)       You are a new person: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]

 

                                                2.)       You are given a new name: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” [Revelation 2:17]

 

                        3.         Transformation happens when we meet God face to face.

 

                                    a.         “Peniel” means “face of God.”

 

                                                1.)       It is here that a man honestly faces himself, his fears, and his pride.

 

                                                2.)       It is here that a man makes that choice – once and for all – that will define him for eternity.

 

                                    b.         Your turn is “today.”

 

                                                1.)       Absolute trust in the salvation provided by Jesus.

 

                                                2.)       Absolute submission to God’s transforming work and power.

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