May 1, 2022 Wrestling with God

 

Wrestling With God

by David Zook

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-32

Bill Pelozzi of Spokane, Washington wrote this in the American Legion Magazine: "As I left for basic training, my dad, an 8th U.S. Army Air Force World War II veteran, said, “Son, learn to take orders because one day you may be giving them.” I learned to take them. A lot was said in those few words. A few years later, I was giving orders in 1968, as a commissioned law officer. We became men at 17, 18 and 19 years old. I learned teamwork, learned how to move smartly, how color has no bounds and the blood of black, red and yellow men could, and did, save lives of white men, and vice versa. I learned that life is precious to all my fellow troops and that taking an enemy life is not pleasure, but cheating death and saving one. I learned to listen and to let my words be few. So, after 40 years of marriage, I am still reminded by my wife whenever she looks at my Navy photo and says, 'That boy left and never came back.'" 

What was your boys to men moment?  An experience so trying and profound that it actually changed you you to the degree that those you know you best couldn't believe their eyes?

Jacob had a transformational experience too. 20 years of being exploited will do that to a man. In our passage today we will witness the radical change in his life as he goes from being under his father-in-law's thumb to facing his brother who the last that Jacob knew wanted to kill him. 

1. From lord to servant.  (Genesis 32:1-5)

Before spending 20 years as what amounted to as an indentured servant, Jacob was all about looking out for number one. Through trickery and theft, Jacob took his brother's birthright and blessing. In fact, Jacob's dad, Isaac, told Esau (Jacob's brother) that Jacob would lord over him. (Genesis 27:37) So, it's surprising to hear him instructing his messengers this, "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: thus says your servant Jacob ..."(Genesis 32:4) 

This indicates that Jacob moved from lordship leadership model to a servant leadership model. Jacob no longer lorded over his older brother in the traditional way, but in a new way: a servant way. This is the way of Jesus who though he was the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, he came to serve rather than be served. (Mark 10:45). 

This is a mark of a godly man, one whose live has been transformed. The same is true for us today. 

2 From foolish to wise. (Genesis 32:6-8)

Prior to his Laban experience, Jacob was overly ambitious. He was most concerned about himself and his place in his family. He did whatever it took in order to secure the birthright and blessing by relying on man's wisdom. He didn't have to rely on man's wisdom because God promised that "the older shall serve the younger." (Genesis 25:23) Because we have seen that God fulfills his promises, he does not need man using our own wisdom to accomplish his task. That's foolish. 

In this passage, we see man more concerned about others than himself. He puts himself last and does the wise and common sense thing in the face of a grave threat to life and limb: he divides his clan into two camps so if one is attacked the other one would be able to escape. 

This is another mark of a godly man who understands servant leadership. 

3. From strong to weak. (Genesis 32:9-12)

It's interesting that this is the first recorded prayer of Jacob. Up until now, he has made vows to God and told his wives what God told him in a dream, but that's it. When he was sent to Laban's land, there is no recorded prayer. When he was looking for a wife, there is no recorded prayer. When he made an agreement with Laban regarding Rachel, there is no recorded prayer. During his 20 years of suffering while with Laban, there is no recorded prayer. 

This leads us to believe that Jacob didn't need God, that he could do it on his own. This falls right in line with his character. So, coming across this prayer jolts the observant reader. His behavior changed. He prayed ... and notice how he prayed. Facing what he thought was imminent danger he called upon God to remember his promises to him and then he rested in those promises. He is not going to rely on his own strength, but the strength of the promise and have the faith that it would be fulfilled. 

He has learned that the Lord fulfills his promises, have we?

4. From taker to giver. (Genesis 32:13-21)

As noted, Jacob took his brother's birthright and blessing so it another eye-opener to discover that Jacob now is a giver. He gave his brother 550 animals in droves hoping that it will satisfy his brother's wrath against him. Esau didn't ask, nor was there a negotiation ... Jacob just freely gave. 

The same thing happens to us when the gospel grabs our hearts because it melts away the selfishness and fills us with selflessness. For it is better to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

5. From self-dependence to divine dependence (Genesis 32:25)

Jacob was a strong man. Remember when he saw Rachel for the first time? He was at the well with other shepherds waiting for the other flocks to arrive so they could roll the huge stone off the well opening to let flocks drink. As Rachel, who "was beautiful in form and appearance" (Genesis 29:17), came down the trail with her flock, an inspired Jacob moved the rock of the well himself. Mind you it usually took several of them to move the rock. 

Fast forward to this scene. Jacob wrestled with God throughout the night and God did not prevail against him. This is a testament to his strength, but see what happens next: God dislocated his hip. His strength is now gone. He can no longer depend on himself. He will have to depend on God's strength. He is now leading with a limp. 

Taking our strengths is one of the ways God humbles us in order to draw closer to him and to depend on him. 

This also happened to the Apostle Paul. He suffered from a thorn in side so he wouldn't think too highly of himself. He asked the Lord to take it away from him, but the Lord said: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We should boast the same way. 

6. From old life to new life. (Genesis 32:28)

The changing of Jacob's name to Israel signifies the transformation of Jacob. He is moving from his old life of living man's ways into a new life of living God's way. Though our names don't change when we are transformed by God, the same calling occurs: "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24)

I think when Isaac spent some time with his son Jacob, he might have the same reaction as Bill Pelozzi's wife,"That boy left and never came back." 
     
Here's the point: It’s not our power or strength that achieves victory, but his power and spirit. In fact, there may be time where God has to “cripple our natural strength” so that we might “receive a blessing by faith”.

As Allen Ross writes, “If we are to accomplish what God wants us to do, it must be accomplished by faith in him … if we do not develop our faith in him, God, may bring us to some point—just as he did Jacob– were self-sufficiency proved insufficient.”

Currently, we are working through a Sermon Series titled "Putting the Dys in Function: The Story of Issac's Family" to help us understand that God is stronger than our strongest dysfunction ... and through the strength of his message, he heals.

This coming Sunday, we will discover how God uses unfinished family business to draw us close to him through his unmerited favor. We invite you to join us. We worship at 10 AM. Please click here for more information about our service.

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