Wrestling with God – Genesis 32

Wrestling with God – Genesis 32

Wrestling with God – Genesis 32

In the dark of night, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure. It’s the angel of the Lord and he has come to wean Jacob off of his own cleverness onto a dependence upon God. His self-reliant, deceitful, double-dealing needed to be exchanged for a trust in the Lord. In this sermon, Pastor David will explain how through this experience, Jacob was humbled and taught the fear of the Lord. We too must be careful not to be stubborn, but rather joyfully submit to the wheel of the Lord. The wise person lives in humility, and in a proper fear of the Lord.

Genesis 32:24–30 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”