SUBJ: Jacob’s encounter with the Lord in a
preincarnation appearance and the outcome of their wrestling and the
blessing Jacob obtained. AIM: That we might realize the same
desperation for the essential blessing from the Lord in all things
pertaining to our salvation and His glory. INTR: Having offered up an
exemplary covenant prayer Jacob continued to do what he felt he needed
to do and so sent gifts ahead to Esau with the thoughts of appeasing
him. 1. Depending on our thoughts as to our actions they may be in
order. If the thoughts are that we have a better idea, then they are
fruitless. 2. The Lord often intervenes at just the time when all
other hope is gone. Jacob would receive what he needed but not in the
way he expected. 3. It is the Lord’s prerogative to allow Himself to
be put subject to the demands of men when they do so in accordance with
His will. So, here with Jacob.
THESIS: The Lord would have Jacob
and us to fully engage with the necessity of obtaining the blessing that
only He is able to supply and will us to wrestle with Him for what we
want.
I. Nothing left to do (vv. 22-23) 1. We can only imagine
the thoughts of Jacob at this point, but he anticipated a long night of
waiting. 1) He had done what he could and 2) He went off to be
alone across the brook and wait the breaking of the day. 2. He has
sent all his family and possessions away to a place of safety while he
would wait for the arrival of Esau.
II. A most eventful night
(vv. 24-29) 1. Jacob was left alone 1) Cut off from all earthly
comforts and considerations – 2) Out of the night a man came to him
– we are told no more but the implications are undeniable. 3) Angel
or Man? The Lord? So, it would seem in that the man does bless Jacob.
4) It was a long and difficult struggle between two determined parties
i. The Lord subduing Jacob and ii. Jacob desperate for protecting
presence. iii. Thoughts of Jacob as a picture of Christ here: Who in
the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications
with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from
death, and was heard in that he feared; (Hebrews 5:7). 2. The man
disables Jacob 1) There was never a question as to who was in
control. 2) It was that the Lord would have something to be proven to
Jacob and that He would have Jacob to be in that way of dependence all
his life. So, he crippled him! 3. Jacob has lost the battle but not
the hold on the Lord and in the end, he prevailed 1) O that we might
cling to the Lord in such desperation 2) It is again to be seen that
the Lord would have Jacob to be strong in the exercise of faith 3) It
was at this that the Lord relented – A broken and contrite heart He will
not despise 4. The blessing would follow and with it came the
assurance of all that could be asked 1) The Lord changed Jacob’s name
to Israel – a prince with God signifying that the old life was gone and
that the new life would be in the Lord. 2) One who has influence with
the God 3) But the answer to Jacob’s further answer was not
forthcoming. Did he really need to ask in that he had demanded and
received the blessing from Him!
III. The place named 1. Jacob
called the name of the place Peniel which means “face of God” 1) We
are reminded of another eventful night with the place called Bethel
because God was in that place and now 2) Peniel because he had seen
God face to face and his was still alive and 3) We are made to see
the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ and we are made alive by
Him. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6). 2. Jacob halted
on His thigh from then on even as we have witnessed the death of the old
man and have a new name in Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. Even remembered
by tradition by the Jews. 4. Let us become so desperate for the
Blessing.
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