Jacob Wrestles with the Lord - Genesis 32

1. An exposi*onal study taught by Harry Morgan

2. For those of you online post your comments or ques3ons in the “comment sec3on” on your screen. As 3me affords, they may be read to the class.

3. 1. What is the context in Jacob’s life for the events about to unfold in Genesis 32? 31:55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place. 32:1, 3 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 3Then Jacob sent messengers… to Esau his brother

4. 2. Why did Jacob return to Esau? • The Lord commanded Jacob 31:3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” • Unresolved conflicts recycle unHl conquered (Jas. 1:12)

5. 3. How was Jacob’s with facing Esau different from encounter with Laban?

6. 4. Who did Jacob meet on his way to Esau? פּ ָ ג ַ ע “met” (pā·ḡǎʿ) = come forward, greet; approach aggressively or accost

7. 5. What effect did the angels of God have on Jacob? • Identified the angels (cp. 28:12) • Renamed the location (cp. 28:19)

8. 6. Why was it important for Jacob to meet with the angels of God before meeting with Esau? Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them. 2 Kings 6:16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

9. 7. What function do angels serve in relationship to the land? Genesis 3:24 …He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. It is likely the angels are guarding the land of promise, not Jacob. They confront him like customs officers at the airport. He is entering holy ground and must realize that there will be consequences for stepping out of line.

10. 8. What did Jacob call this place where the angels of God met him? Why? (mǎ·ḥǎnǎ·yim) = “two camps” מ ַ ח ֲ נ ַ יִ ם Josh. 13:26; 21:38, a LeviHcal city in Gad 2 Sam. 2:8–9 the capital of Ishbosheth’s kingdom 2 Sam. 17:24 the refuge of David during Absalom’s rebellion

11. 9. To what “two camps” was Jacob referring? (mǎ·ḥǎnǎ·yim) = “two camps” מ ַ ח ֲ נ ַ יִ ם

12. 9. To what “two camps” was Jacob referring? The “two camps” are referring to: Laban & Esau? Behind: Laban and his brethren (31:22, 23) Ahead: Esau with 400 men (32:6)

13. 9. To what “two camps” was Jacob referring? The “two camps” are referring to: Splitting Jacob’s Family? Genesis 32:8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and aUacks it, then the other company which is leV will escape.”

14. 9. To what “two camps” was Jacob referring? The “two camps” are referring to: Angels? (mǎ·ḥǎnǎ·yim) = “two hosts” מ ַ ח ֲ נ ַ יִ ם Upon leaving the Land: (28:12) angels ascending and descending Upon entering the Land: (32:1) So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

15. 9. To what “two camps” was Jacob referring? The “two camps” are referring to: The Presence of God? Bethel: “The is the House of God” (28:19, 20) Mahanaim: “This is God’s Camp” (32:2) The Pillar of Cloud went before them by day. The Pillar of Fire protected their rear by night.

16. 10. Where was Esau at the time Jacob met with the angels of God? Judges 5:4 “LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the field of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens poured, the clouds also poured water.

17. 11. Why was it important for Jacob to meet with Esau at this 8me? What does this passage teach you about resolving personal conflicts? Matthew 5:23–25 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

18. 12. What did Jacob do in preparation for his meeting with Esau? He attempts to gain some advance intelligence by sending messengers. He does not want to sneak back into the land; that would only aggravate any residual anger. Van Dyke Parunak www.cyber-chapel.org

20. 13. What does Jacob tell his envoy to say to Esau? Why? • Assumes the subservient position • Explains that he has been with their mother’s family • Describes his wealth, not to boast, but to show that he does not need to claim his father’s wealth • Declares his purpose

21. 14. What informaTon did his envoy relay back to Jacob?

22. 15. What is the significance of 400 men? • Esau’s number of men was greater than Abram’s • 400 men is a round number for a standard militia. • David became a notable threat to Saul when his retinue reached 400 (1 Sam. 22:2) • Gideon’s army of 300 overcame Midianites army of >135,000

23. 16. What was Jacob’s emotional reaction to their report? י ָ ר ֵ א “afraid” (yā·rēʾ) = be afraid, be frightened, i.e., be in a state of feeling great distress (cf. Gen. 3:10) צ ָ ר ַ ר be in a state of intense trouble “distressed” (ṣā·rǎr) = be in distress, i.e.,

24. 17. What action did Jacob take in response? 1. Jacob divided his people and his flocks into two bands, so that if Esau destroyed one band, the other at least might escape. 2. Jacob prayed. This is the first recorded example of prayer in the Bible.

25. 18. What evidence of spiritual growth do you observe as Jacob prepares to meet Esau?

26. 19. What are some practical principles of godly prayer that emerge from Jacob’s prayer? • Jacob comes to God on the basis of His covenant • Jacob acknowledges his need, “I fear him” • Jacob humbly reminds God of His promises Calvin: “Jacob, recalling the command and promise of God to memory, is supported as by two pillars. ‘Lord, You told me to return, so I am returning. And You said You would take care of me. I need You to fulfill this promise’.”

27. 20. Why did Jacob remain at Mahanaim? Possibly to let the present that he prepared go on ahead. Van Dyke Parunak www.cyber-chapel.org

28. 21. How did Jacob attempt to “appease” his brother Esau?

29. 21. How did Jacob attempt to “appease” his brother Esau?

30. 22. How many animals were included in Jacob’s present to his brother? This present consists of 580 animals (each nursing camel would have its young with it), divided into five droves by the class of animal: goats, sheep, camels, cows, and asses

31. 23. What sacrificial words of offering are mentioned in verse 20? (pā·něh) = “cover the face” often translated “atone” מ ִ נְ ח ָ ה (min·ḥāh) = “grain offering” פּ ָ נ ֶ ה “appease” “present”

32. 24. Where did Jacob and his family go after leaving Mahanaim? י ַ בּ ֹ ק (yǎb·bōq) = pouring out, emptying, flowing “Jabbok”

33. Reconciling with your Past.

34. 25. What is the meaning of Jabbok? Jabbok = wrestler

35. 26. Why did Jacob send his family ahead of him while he remained alone? 1) To Shield himself? Genesis 33:2–5 And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven ?mes, un?l he came near to his brother. 4But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 And he liDed his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

36. 26. Why did Jacob send his family ahead of him while he remained alone? 2) To Be Alone Genesis 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him… “To be left alone with God is the only true way of arriving at a just knowledge of ourselves and our ways. We can never get a true estimate of nature and all its actings until we have weighed them in the balances of the sanctuary, and there we may ascertain their real worth. No matter what we may think about ourselves, nor yet what man may think about us, the great question is What does God think about us?” C. H. Mackintosh

37. 27. Who met with Jacob?

38. 28. Did Jacob wrestle with a man, an angel, or is this an allegory of his spiritual baXle? Hosea 12:3–5 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength, he struggled with God. 4Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; he wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, and there He spoke to us—5that is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name.

39. 28. Did Jacob wrestle with a man, an angel, or is this an allegory of his spiritual battle? Genesis 32:30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

40. 29. Why did Jacob wrestle with this “Man”? א ָ ב ַ ק “wrestled” (ʾā·ḇǎq) = wrestle, struggle, i.e., have a physical engagement (by grabbing and holding) with an opponent, possibly hosIle, which is characterized by physical contact, and gaining advantage through leverage holds and moves, and so control the opponent by manipulaIons as contrasted with striking and hiJng as in boxing. Wrestling is Control by Strength, Speed, Strategy & Wit.

41. 30. Why couldn’t the “Man” prevail against Jacob? 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

42. 31. What is the importance of the “Man” touching the socket of Jacob’s hip and puYng it out of joint? “The hip joint is the pivot of a wrestler’s strength. One moment Jacob is holding his own; now he is powerless.” Van Dyke Parunak (2007) www.cyber-chapel.org

43. 32. Why did Jacob weep? 1. Not the physical pain of a dislocated hip. 2. The broken and contrite spirit of an awakened soul caused Jacob to weep. It was at this point Jacob became aware of the One with whom he had been spiritual dislocated.

44. 33. Why did the “Man” insist on being “let go” before daybreak? “Not so that he could get back in Ime to sing in the heavenly choir (Jewish midrash)! Perhaps to protect Jacob from seeing the deity directly (cf. Exod. 33:20).” Van Dyke Parunak (2007) www.cyber-chapel.org

45. 34. Why did Jacob insist on being “blessed” by this “Man”? 1) Jacob acknowledges the ultimate strength of the One with whom he wrestles. 2) Jacob knows the “Man” is God. 3) Jacob knows that God is good; that the Lord intends to bless and not do him harm.

46. 35. What does Jacob’s insistence to be blessed reveal about Jacob? 1) Jacob acknowledges his ultimate helplessness. 2) Jacob no longer is a passive recipient of God’s grace. He now passionately pursues after it and pleads for it. He has become one who “hungers and thirsts after righteousness” (Matt 5:6).

47. 36. What was required of Jacob before he could be blessed? A name defines character & purpose. “What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” ― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

48. 37. How did the “Man” bless Jacob? Changing one’s name changes one’s character & purpose.

49. 38. What does the name “Israel” mean? “Jacob” (yǎ·ʿǎqōḇ) = deceiver, heel grabber, י ַ ﬠ ֲ ק ֹ ב supplanter “Israel” (yiś·rā·ʾēl) = God prevails “struggle” (śā·rāh) = contend, wrestle, שׂ ָ ר ָ ה יִ שׂ ְ ר ָ א ֵ ל persevere “prevailed” (yā·ḵōl) = be able, succeed, prevail, י ָ כ ֹ ל overcome

50. 39. Why didn’t the “Man” reveal His name to Jacob? Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. We are not on a first-name basis with God!