Is this a real event or a dream? – He woke up with a limp. How are we to understand what happened here?ġ. Read Gen 32:22-32: I am once again impressed with succinct manner in which the Bible describes such a phenomenal event. ‘If Esau had been victorious here, all of God’s plans and promises would have been defeated, and the world would never have had a Savior.’ It was this crisis nature of the situation that required and justified God’s personal intervention to establish and confirm Jacob’s faith.”Ī. Note: One author calls this the “ one of the most important events in the history of human redemption”.īurton Coffman writes: “ Jacob, the head of the Messianic line through whom the CHRIST would come was facing the most serious threat of his whole life. Alone and afraid, people are likely open to God as they are at no other time in life. This vulnerable position was the environment for God’s lesson on self-surrender. Wealth, family, personal safety – all were now dependant on the care of God. His possessions had been forfeited and sent ahead as gifts to Esau. The Wrestling Match: Jacob must have felt quite vulnerable at this point. Now that he had done all that he knew to do in preparation for the imminent encounter with Esau, Jacob was alone with his fears and his God. He then instructed his lead servants to offer Esau animals as gifts by which he hoped to pacify his anger (32:13-21). Notice that his prayer is focused on the promises God made 20 years earlier.ģ. He prayed to the God of his father and grandfather to spare him, his wives, and his children he based his prayer on the promise of future descendants that had been confirmed to him at Bethel (Read 32:9-12). The first group would bear the brunt of any assault, and the one in the rear could try to escape (32:7-8).Ģ. Jacob, even more fearful, divided his people and animals into two groups. 8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.” Gen 32:7-8 – So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.”‘” The messengers returned – evidently without making contact with Esau – and reported that Jacob’s brother was coming toward him with 400 men (32:6). 4 And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. He sent messengers to him who were instructed to ask for “favor” in Esau’s eyes – Genesis 32:3-5 – 3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. Jacob’s efforts: Jacob schemed as he traveled about how to appease his brother.ġ. Jacob was still learning this important lesson.Ī. How would Esau react to Jacob’s return? What could Jacob do to make the situation better? On the way home to Canaan, God would humble Jacob significantly and teach him the importance of trusting the divine will over human schemes. The Fear of Going Home: Even though God had commanded his return home, there were inherent dangers involved. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.'” God had kept His promise, and Jacob was still living under the vow of Bethel – “ The Lord will be my God” 7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me… 13 – I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. 6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father. Gen 31:4-7 – So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock, 5 and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before but the God of my father has been with me. (31:1-3) Jacob tells Rachel and Leah his plans to leave, and acknowledges the sovereign providence of God over the last 20 years. After over 20 years in Padan-Aram at the house of Laban, Jacob is instructed by God (in a dream) to return to Canaan.Early on Jacob was truly Jacob “the grasper” who did not let go until he got what he was after. As we mentioned this morning, Jacob was a take charge person who learned to manipulate and use others to get what he wanted.His life is a true story of how God can use both blessing and suffering to mold the character of a man to be what He desire. There is much to learn from God’s influence on Jacob. Intro: Return to the life of Jacob, the patriarch.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |