Apprehended At Last -- 6/28/09

Sunday, June 28, 2009

APPREHENDED AT LAST
Gen. 28:10-22; 31-32

God’s timing is amazing. This week I ran across a young lady who is 18. I recognized her last name and told her I knew her. She assured me I knew her sister. As it turned out, she was right. When I was around her family, she hadn’t yet been born. Before she departed, I asked her to give a message to her dad. I told her to tell him, “Ron says ‘Hi,” and the Hound of Heaven is still after him.” Some 20 years ago I saw this man under conviction. It was during those days that I gave him that poem, “The Hound of Heaven.” To tell you the truth, I don’t know the poem at all, but I can never forget that title – “The Hound of Heaven.”

Jacob was always pursuing a great deal, and he was willing to employ whatever means necessary to get what he wanted. We first see this in the way he swindled his brother Esau out of the birthright. And when his mother Rebekah instructed him concerning how to get the blessing as well, he went along. Last week we saw how he matched wits with his Uncle Laban and eventually came out the winner, leaving Haran as a very wealthy man. Yes, Jacob was always pursuing whatever he could get.

That is only part of the story. In reality, it is the small part. The bigger truth is that the pursuer was being pursued by the Hound of Heaven. Long before Jacob had any knowledge of it, the Lord was after Jacob. This morning we are going to focus on that truth as we continue looking at the life of Jacob.

I. The First Real Contact – The Dream at Bethel (Gen. 28:10-22)

Last week we looked at the account of God appearing to Jacob at Luz, which Jacob named “Bethel,” meaning “the house of God.” Let’s do a quick review here at the end of Genesis 28 (verses 10-22). It’s about 50 miles from Beersheba and Bethel. It appears that he made it to Bethel the first night, arriving after dark. That could explain why he was able to sleep with a rock as his pillow. That’s quite a trip in one day.

Let me remind you that this is the first time the Lord spoke to Jacob. Of course, He knew all about Jacob. Nothing had escaped the Lord’s notice, but this is the first time He has actually appeared to Jacob. Notice three things about this dream in which God appeared to Jacob…
… There was a ladder with the angels of God ascending and descending upon it, with the Lord standing above the ladder.
… God renewed to Jacob the promises He had made to Abraham.
… God gave Jacob great promises of protection and provision, assuring him that He would do what He said.

Last week I said we would wait until this week to consider Jacob’s response. Let’s do that now. How would Jacob respond to a direct word from Almighty God? As you might expect, the Lord certainly had his attention. He correctly acknowledged, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not” (28:16). He realized that he had just received more than a good night’s sleep. Notice in verse 17 that Jacob was afraid. What else could we expect? It is no small thing to hear from the living God. Listen to his words in verse 17, “How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” How right he was! God was dwelling in that place, and the ladder Jacob saw was truly the gate of heaven.

After Jacob took his stone pillow and set it up erect as a pillar and poured oil on it, he then made a vow to God. Let’s read it again in Gen. 28:20-22…

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21. So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22. And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
After hearing the promises of God, Jacob makes some promises of his own.

Now let’s pause right here and reflect upon the quality of Jacob’s response to God. I think it is best to put it in the context of some questions. Was Jacob genuinely following the Lord at this point? Was this the kind of vow the Lord was looking for from Jacob? If we were going to put this in New Testament terms, would this mark Jacob’s conversion, or would we look to chapter 32 for his conversion, when he wrestled with the angel?

I must tell you that people differ in their answer to these questions. I will simply tell you where I am, and you can make up your own mind. I don’t believe this experience marks a change in Jacob. Rather, I think he is still wheeling and dealing, but this time he is bargaining with God.

Let me give you my reasons. First of all, notice the word “if.” “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me breat to eat and clothes to wear and bring me back home safely, then you, Lord, will be my God. And to show my appreciation, I will give you a little tip, a tenth of all you give me.” Why the “if.” Surely this points to Jacob’s lack of faith. God said He would do these things; He did not give any conditions. Though he recognizes that the Almighty has spoken to him, he isn’t sure that God can or will do what He has promised. “If He does, that’s great; then I’ll let Him be my God.” Now it is true that some commentators tell us it is possible to translate it as, “Since God will be with me” or “Seeing that God is with me.” However, the argument is not very convincing. I know of only one translation that renders it differently than “if” (Young’s Literal). In light of what we know of Jacob and the other arguments I am about to give, the evidence seems overwhelming that Jacob meant “If God…” He did not trust God to do what He said He would.

It is also interesting to note how Jacob refers to God. Beginning way back in chapter 27, when he was in the process of deceiving his father Isaac in order to get the blessing, Jacob said, “Because the Lord thy God brought it to me” (28:20). He can speak of his father’s God, but does not refer to Yahweh as his own God. Remember what he said in 28:21, “If God will do all these things for me, then shall the Lord be my God.” As late as Gen. 32:9, Jacob refers to Him, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac…” But after Jacob wrestled with the angel, never again does he use that terminology. The only possible exception might be in Gen. 48:15, "And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day." While Jacob refers to his fathers Abraham and Isaac as walking before God, he speaks of God Himself as the one who “fed me all my life long unto this day.” What a change. I suggest that it was when he wrestled with the angel at the end of chapter 32 that God became his God.

We must also notice the very strong language we find at the end of chapter 32. After wresting with the angel and prevailing, Jacob says, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (Gen. 32:30). Whatever Jacob meant by that statement, it goes far beyond anything we see here in chapter 28. Also note the references to the sun in 28:11 and 32:31. Here in 28:11 we read, “And he lighted upon a certain place and tarried there all night, because the sun was set…” I don’t want to over-spiritualize, but it is hard to ignore the comparison between these words and what we find in 32:31, “And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.” There is a sense in which the sun was setting on the old Jacob in chapter 28. God has spoken to him and He will not let go of Jacob until He has made a fundamental change in him. That change is seen in chapter 32, when the sun rises upon a new man, a man who will always walk with a limp because of his encounter with the living God.

And what about the name change? Though God speaks to Jacob in chapter 28, his name is not changed until 20 years later at the end of chapter 32. It is then that his name becomes “Israel,” which means “prince of God.” This change of name parallels the change within. It wasn’t until Jacob wrestled with the angel in chapter 32 that he was truly a changed man, as his name change demonstrates.

Now if that is so, what do we make of the events here in chapter 28? I am not saying that this appearance of God to Jacob is not important; it is vitally important. However, it is only the beginning. It is not the beginning in the sense that Jacob became a new person and then needed to grow. Rather, it was a beginning in God revealing Himself and His plan to Jacob. Though Jacob was amazed and afraid, we see no change in Jacob over the following years. We explored that truth last week. Though his residence changed, his way of life did not. He was still the swindler, living up to his name “Jacob.”

We can find parallels in the New Testament. Let’s read John 2:23-25…
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

These people were amazed at Jesus miracles. The Word of God tells us that they believed. However, it is clear that this was not a saving belief. It is very likely that some of these people would later become true believers, but at this time (as in chapter 6, when they followed Jesus after He fed the 5,000) they were impressed only with a miracle-worker.

Go to the very next chapter. You remember Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews who came to Jesus at night, declaring his belief that Jesus was truly sent from God. But Jesus said to him, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.” Was Nicodemus interested in Jesus? Absolutely. Did he become a believer at that time? No. Would he become a believer later on? Yes. He is one of the men that came forward and buried Jesus. We see a vital starting point in John 3, when Jesus told him He must be born again.

So it was with Jacob. The Lord is patient. He wasn’t surprised at Jacob’s selfish and untrusting response. The Lord wasn’t done with Jacob, as we will see. Aren’t you glad God didn’t give up on you when He first began to reveal Himself to you?

II. Hot on the Trail (Gen. 31)

The fourteen years following this word from God is what we looked at last week. Jacob spent those fourteen years in the vicinity of Haran, serving his Uncle Laban in exchange for his two daughters in marriage. They were wonderful years in that Jacob was blessed with a large family. Nevertheless, those years were filled with conflict and strife, as a result of Jacob’s character.

So where was God all this time? There is no reason to think that God spoke to Jacob during this time; there is certainly no record of it. As a matter of fact, from the time Jacob left Bethel here in chapter 28 until Joseph was born toward the end of chapter 30 (about fourteen years), the mere mention of God is rare. At the end of chapter 29, the term LORD is used four times, all in relation to Leah. We are told that the Lord had mercy on her, and then she uses His name three times in explaining why she named her sons what she named them. In 30:6, Rachel uses the name “God” in explain the name of her son Dan. We find the name “God” used three times in 30:17-20, again in relation to Him giving Leah conception and the naming of her children. Then in 30:22-24, we find “God” used three times and “Lord” once, all in relation to God remembering Rachel, giving her children, and in her naming of those children. So during this entire time, God is never mentioned a single time in relation to Jacob. There is no record that he worshipped God, that he prayed to God, that he questioned God.

So where was God? He was still on the throne. He Lord was not biting his nails and wondering if He should have been more firm with Jacob back at Bethel. You can rest assured that He knew exactly what was going on during this time. The Lord was patiently waiting. Time is always on God’s side, you know!

It is after the birth of Joseph that things begin to change. As we saw last week, it was after Joseph was born, at which time Jacob had served his required 14 years, that he told Laban it was time for him to take his family and make a start on his own. You will remember that both Laban and Jacob recognized that the Lord had blessed Laban while Jacob had been working for him. Yes, that’s right. In 30:30, Jacob actually confirms Laban’s statement with these words, “For it was little thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming…” Yes, Jacob mentions the Lord and gives Him credit for blessing Laban. Perhaps Jacob has been doing some thinking over the past 14 years.
Now let’s come to chapter 31 and read 31:1-16…
And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. 2. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3. And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. 4. And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, 5. And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. 6. And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. 7. And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. 8. If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstreaked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstreaked. 9. Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. 10. And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstreaked, speckled, and grisled. 11. And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstreaked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. 13. I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. 14. And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? 15. Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. 16. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

Chapter 30 ended by telling us that Jacob had become a wealthy man, apparently because he was a shrewd and crafty businessman. Just as we might expect, Laban was not happy with Jacob’s newfound wealth, because it was at his own expense. No, Laban wasn’t hurting by any means, but he could have had more, if Jacob hadn’t got the best of him in the last round. Being a man of intelligence, Jacob noticed that Laban and his sons were now taking a different attitude toward him. After verse 2, we might expect the record to tell us what Jacob planned to do about it. Instead, we read in verse 3, “And the Lord said unto Jacob.” After all these years, God speaks to Jacob again. This time it is a direct command: “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred.” But after the command comes a comforting promise, “And I will be with you.” The Lord was there all the time, but now He has chosen the perfect time to speak to Jacob again.

Jacob’s next move is to talk this over with his wives. Apparently for some privacy, he tells them to meet him out in the field. As he speaks to them, Jacob says, “But the God of my father hath been with me” (5b). He still refers to the Lord as “the God of my father,” but he does acknowledge that the Lord has been with him, just as He promised. After reminding them how their father has tried to cheat him, he then says, “But God suffered him not to hurt me” (7b). Now he simply says “God” and admits that He has protected him from the schemes of Laban. Knowing something about Laban, there is little doubt in my mind that the account of verse 8 is true, that Laban did try to cheat him. But notice verse 9, “Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father and given them to me.” Now Jacob is coming around to the idea that God is the one who is behind his newfound wealth.

Now in verses 10-13 Jacob relates to his wives a dream he had. In that dream the angel of God spoke to Jacob. The angel pointed out to Jacob that all the animals which were mating were the ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. That is, they were the unusual animals that would yield offspring for Jacob rather than Laban. Then the angel said, “For I have seen all that Laban does to you.” Jacob had laid out his peeled branches, but the angel says, “Jacob, your scheming has nothing to do with it. I am the one who is increasing your flock, because I have seen how Laban has tried to cheat you, and I am taking care of you.” No doubt, Jacob has been thinking a great deal about that dream in relation to all that has happened. Then in verse 13 the angel identifies Himself as the God who appeared to Jacob at Bethel. Now the command is, “Get out of this land and return to your homeland.”

Now bear in mind that it was over a six-year period that Jacob’s flock was increased. 31:41 reminds us that Jacob served 14 years for his two wives and then six years for his cattle. As he watched this increase during those six years, he had lots of time to think. On the one hand, he had some understanding that God was blessing him. On the other hand, he still felt the need to give God a lot of help.

Now allow me to summarize the next section of this passage, beginning in verse 17. Jacob gathered up everything that was his and took off as quietly as he could. After three days, Laban discovered that he was gone and was highly offended. He didn’t get to say goodbye to his family. So he gathered up some men and pursued. When he caught up with Jacob, the Lord Himself came to Laban in a dream and delivered this message: “Take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad” (31:24). Later, in the conversation between Laban and Jacob, Laban said to Jacob, “It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt; but the God of your father spoke unto me last night, saying, ‘Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad’” (31:29). Laban didn’t hurt Jacob, but neither did he take to heart what God actually told him, because Laban said plenty. When he asked Jacob why he had left so quickly, Jacob admitted that he was afraid, afraid that Laban would refuse to let his daughters go with him.

So now let’s understand that although Jacob has been doing some thinking about God and how He has blessed him, he is also a man who is scared. He does not trust Laban and knows he is a man to be feared. But that is only half the story. Where is Jacob now headed? Back home. And what is waiting for him at home? Don’t forget about his brother Esau. The last time we saw Esau, he was so angry with Jacob that he wanted to kill him. What did Rebekah tell her son Jacob before he departed from home? Do you remember? She told Jacob that she would send for him when Esau’s anger had cooled off. We have no record that Rebekah ever sent for Jacob. We don’t know why. She may have died, as she is never mentioned again after she sent Jacob away, except the note about where she was buried (49:31). So Jacob has no assurance that Esau has softened toward him. Jacob was between a rock and a hard place, between a pursuing Laban and a waiting Esau..

Now fear can be a powerful motivator. I believe it was so for Jacob. When a man fears for his life, certain things lose their importance. Other things become more important. As Jacob was fleeing from Laban, he had plenty of time to think. That fact is reflected in what he told Laban. Let’s read it in Gen. 31:38-42…
This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. 39. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. 41. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. 42. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

Notice that last verse. Jacob speaks openly of how God has been taking care of him. Fear is not the best motivation, but God can certainly use it to get our attention and turn our mind in the direction of the eternal things. I believe that was the case with Jacob. Gradually the Lord is bringing Jacob to see that there are some problems he can’t fix. Nevertheless, Jacob is still trying.

Ultimately Laban and Jacob came to a peaceful solution. They agreed not to harm one another and even set up a physical monument to mark their covenant of peace. At the end of chapter 31 we find Laban kissing his family goodbye and returning to his home. Now Jacob can turn all of his attention to facing Esau. That is where we pick up the story in chapter 32, with the Hound of Heaven hot on Jacob’s trail.

III. Finally Captured (Gen. 32)

It is here in chapter 32 that everything comes to a head. Notice Gen. 32:1-2, "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim." “Mahanaim” means “two camps.” Jacob saw two camps, his own camp and the camp of the angels. Surely the Lord sent the angels to encourage Jacob, to show Jacob that he was not alone; the angels of God were there with him.

So how does Jacob respond to this reassurance from the Lord? Let’s read it in 32:3-5…
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4. And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5. And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

Jacob sends out a team to seek peace with Esau. Of course, he is eager to find out how Esau is feeling about him, after twenty years. So what did he find out? Verse 6, “And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.” You can imagine what is going through Jacob’s mind: “He heard that I was coming and now he has rounded up an army of fighting men.” No wonder we read in verse 7 that “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” He has jumped from the frying pan into the fire!

It is at this point that we see the turmoil within Jacob. The angels of God have appeared to him. He referred to them as the Lord’s army and called the name of that place “two camps.” I am reminded that later on one angel of the Lord would destroy 185,000 fighting men of the Assyrians (II Kings 19:35). We might expect Jacob to say, “Lord, thank you that you have sent your angels. I am trusting you to protect me, regardless of the circumstances.” But remember that this is Jacob. Look again at verses 7-8, "Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; 8. And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape." He figured that if Esau attacked, perhaps one group would be able to escape. When the crisis comes, Jacob immediately retreats to what he has always known – his own craftiness. It is the crisis that reveals that in which we are trusting.

Praise God that isn’t the end of the story. Now let’s read the following verses… (32:9-12)
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: 10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. 11. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. 12. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Jacob prayed to the Lord. Yes, he should have prayed before he did anything else, but at least he prayed. This is the first record of Jacob ever praying, unless you consider his words at the end of chapter 28 a prayer. As I have said, that appears to be more of a deal. And even in those words, Jacob says, “If God…” and not, “If you…” Only at the end, does he speak to God in the second person: “And I will surely give the tenth unto you” (28:22). But now there is no question that Jacob is praying; he is crying out to God. Jacob is scared and he cries out for deliverance from the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. Notice also his words in verse 10, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant…” Wow! Jacob’s heart is certainly softening.

On the one hand, Jacob is scheming. On the other hand, he is praying. He knows he needs the Lord, but he doesn’t trust Him enough to cease from his own planning and manipulation. Like his mother Rebekah, he figures that God will help those who help themselves. By the way, that is absolute contrary the teaching of the scriptures. The Lord works in those who realize there is no help in themselves. The Lord transforms those who abandon themselves – who deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus.

After Jacob finishes praying, he goes back to planning. Verses 13-20 give details of the present he would offer to Esau. Not only would he give to him generously, but he would put space between each group of animals and the servants who accompanied them. So Jacob would have his servants meet Esau with a series of gifts. Why? We find the answer at the end of verse 20, “… For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept me.” Jacob was hoping that as Esau came across each gift, his anger would gradually cool off and he would be willing to reconcile.

Now let’s read 32:21-24a… (please allow me to read from the Amplified)
So the present went on before him, and he himself lodged that night in the camp. But he rose up that [same] night and took his two wives, his two women servants, and his eleven sons and passed over the ford [of the] Jabbok. And he took them and sent them across the brook; also he sent over all that he had. And Jacob was left alone...

For some reason, in the middle of the night, Jacob hurriedly took all his family and possessions across the river. We are not given the reason. Whatever the reason, he was alone. Was it deliberate on his part? Was he desiring to get alone with God? Or did he go back over one more time to get one last thing? We don’t know. What we do know is that he was in turmoil. Jacob was frightened. Though he had cried out to God, he was still scared to death.

Now let’s come to the incident we have been anticipating. Everything has been leading up to what we read about in Gen. 32:24-30…
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Even if Jacob had gone back over for the specific purpose of seeking the Lord, it is clear that it was God Himself who took the initiative in this encounter, for “there wrestled a man with him.” The initiative is with the man, not with Jacob. I love the way one pastor puts it…

It must have been terrifying for Jacob. He was already nervous about Esau’s approach. He had sent ahead his elaborate gift of hundreds of animals. Then he tried to bed down for the night. But he couldn’t sleep, so he woke up his family and moved them across the ford of the Jabbok. Then Jacob went back alone for a final check, to make sure nothing had been left behind. It’s dark and spooky on the desert at night. Suddenly, out of the dark, a hand grabbed Jacob. Jacob must have just about had a heart attack! Who was this? A bandit, trying to rob him? An assassin, sent by Esau? Instinctively, Jacob began to wrestle with this mysterious assailant, struggling for his very life.

We need to be clear that God was the aggressor here. Jacob was defending himself. Some preachers develop this text as a fine example of wrestling all night in prayer with God. But that is not the lesson behind the struggle. Jacob wasn’t laying hold of God to gain something from Him; God was laying hold of Jacob to gain something from him, namely, to bring Jacob to the end of his self-dependence. (Stephen J. Cole, in sermon “Broken, But Blessed”)

Some take this as vivid language to describe a spiritual conflict. While it was certainly a spiritual conflict, it was truly a physical wrestling match, as demonstrated by the fact that Jacob walked with a limp that day forward. It demonstrated a spiritual brokenness, but it was nevertheless a true physical limp received in this wrestling match.

And who is this man with whom Jacob wrestled? Earlier the angels of God met Jacob, but who is this man who wrestled with him? Was it an angel? Do we know? Indeed we do. In Hosea 12 this “man” is referred to as an angel (Hos. 12:4). Many see Him as the angel of the Lord, a preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Himself. I have no problem at all with that view. It seems to follow from Jacob’s statement in 32:30, “I have seen God face to face.” So you may find me referring to this wrestler as a man, as an angel, or as God Himself.

Up until this time, Jacob thought his greatest enemies were out there. Surely his great enemies were Laban and Esau and the threat they posed to him. But suddenly he is fighting for his life, and it isn’t Esau who is opposing him; it is God. Jacob had to learn what all of us must learn, the outward problems we experience are not the enemy. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). Jacob’s great enemy was his own independence. His greatest problem was that he trusted himself. Only God could deal with that problem, and this is where He did it.

You will notice that this one wrestled with Jacob until the break of day. They wrestled all night long. Why? Wasn’t God able to get the best of Jacob? We know they were not evenly matched, because when the angel decided to do so, he inflicted tremendous pain upon Jacob and left him with a permanent limp. Why didn’t he do it in the first minute and be done with it? We must understand that God was not simply trying to show Jacob who was boss; He was gently but firmly brining Jacob to a place of brokenness and submission. By wrestling with him all night, He was showing Jacob the great power of his flesh. Have you ever been in a real wrestling match on the mat? I guarantee you that two or three minutes will be all you want. But Jacob wrestled with God all night. He wouldn’t give up. Just as he continued to scheme before meeting Esau rather than simply trusting God, he continued to wrestle with all his power.

Finally, when the angel saw that Jacob was not going to give up, he simply touched the socket of his hip and put it out of joint. As wrestling matches go, the Lord had just been toying with Jacob. But when he acted, Jacob knew that this was no mere man. This was no small injury. It was so serious that at the end of his life, Jacob would still be leaning on his staff (Heb. 11:21).

Isn’t it interesting that right after the angel dislocates Jacob’s hip, he asks Jacob to let him go. As one commentator put it, “Jacob, at the very point of being incapacitated, seemed to gain the upper hand” (Bob Deffinbaugh, in sermon “How to Win with God and Men”). This reveals that it was not God’s purpose to win the wrestling match, but to win the man Jacob, to make him a prince of God. His request to be let go implies that Jacob now has the edge in the contest, even though all Jacob can do is hang on. He cannot take the fight to the angel, because a wrestler with a dislocated hip is done. When the angel says, “Let me go,” it is like an invitation for Jacob to ask whatever he wants. Jacob could have said, “I will let you go, when you strip Esau of all his men,” or “I’ll let you go, when you guarantee me safe passage back to my home.” Instead, Jacob says, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” Surely Jacob has finally realized that all the riches in the world can’t substitute for the blessing of God. As we read in Prov.10:22, "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."

Then the angel asked Jacob, “What is your name?” He responded simply, “Jacob.” Why did he ask Jacob’s name? Remember that there is great significance in a name. His answer was “Supplanter, heel grabber, schemer, deceiver, con man.” Surely the tone of his voice revealed no pride or self-confidence. Jacob was not just giving his name; he was confessing the kind of man he was. Was this not the response of a broken man? Jacob was clinging to the Lord, though his hip was out of joint. He could have become bitter and said, “Now look what you’ve done. You have crippled me, so that I can neither fight nor run.” Instead, he was clinging to God with his little bit of strength. In his brokenness, he begged the Lord to bless him.

Now notice the words of verse 28, "And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." “Israel” means “one who strives with God” (commonly shortened to “prince with God”). Because of what the Lord had done in his life, Israel would indeed have power with God and with men. But in what sense had Jacob/Israel prevailed with God? How does any man overcome God? He had power with God, he prevailed with God, he overcame God only because that is what God wanted. A boy can prevail against his dad in a wrestling match, when his dad desires that outcome. Dad could take control of the match at any time, but he is more interested in the development of his son. So it was with the Lord and Jacob. Jacob overcame God only in the sense that he submitted to Him and trusted Him. If anyone would have power with God, this is the secret. As long as Jacob fought with his own strength, he made no headway. It was only in his brokenness and submission that he found the blessing of God.

Conclusion

There is so much more that could be said about this passage. Much can’t be said, because there is a great mystery about it. Nevertheless, this is the turning point in the life of Jacob. He will not suddenly become a perfect man, but he is clearly a changed man.

What can we learn from Jacob? If you are here this morning and are not sure you truly know the Lord, please hear me. Just because you have heard the truth of God’s Word, just because you have been greatly blessed by God, don’t think that means you are a child of God. Just look at Jacob. He had great blessings. He even admitted that God was the one who had blessed him. But he was still running his own life. Maybe he could use a little help from God, but ultimately he called the shots. It wasn’t until he admitted his own sinfulness and submitted to God that his life was changed. You are no different. Jacob could even boast that unlike Esau, he was seeking the things of real spiritual value. Nevertheless, he was far from God because he was independent. You may have received great blessings from God, but your life is still all wrong. Know that His goodness is designed to lead you to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Repent and believe. All Jacob’s power could not move God, but his brokenness did. That is why David said, “The Lord is near to them who are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Ps. 34:18).

Christian, listen to me. Jacob is a great illustration of the futility of trying to achieve spiritual goals through fleshly means. The things Jacob seemed to desire were right. He desired the birthright and the blessing. He desired to return to Canaan, the land God had promised him. He desired many descendants, for that is what God had promised him. But up until this crisis in chapter 32, he was depending upon himself to get those things. No doubt, he was able to justify his actions. Perhaps he claimed that the end justifies the means. Or maybe he rationalized that God gave him a mind to use, therefore he was acting on behalf of God. The bottom line is this – ultimately Jacob trusted himself.

Aren’t you glad that God loves us enough to break us, to gently but firmly strip us of our independence? Aren’t you glad that He patiently reveals to us that we cannot trust Jesus and trust self at the same time? Aren’t you glad that the Hound of Heaven kept on pursuing Jacob and refused to let him go?

Perhaps when thinking about Jacob’s wrestling match with the Lord, we could make application to our own lives by coming to Phil. 3:12-14…
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

These were the words of a New Testament Israel, a man striving with God. May it be true of us.