Bro Kenneth Yoder
Genesis 32:1 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.
3 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 women servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
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.
7 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.
9 And Jacob said, O God of my fattier Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to they kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
1OI am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed 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.
The above story is familiar to most of us. The background of this story is found in the preceding chapters of Genesis. Jacob had secretly left the homeland of his father-in-law. Laban had pursued and overtaken Jacob. Laban demanded that his family idols be returned. The narrative of our text occurs after Laban had departed. Jacob continued his journey to the land of Canaan.
As Jacob was traveling he was met by a host of God's angels. Often we do not realize the intensity of the spiritual reality that surrounds us. If our eyes were opened so we could see the spiritual world surrounding us, we would understand more clearly the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. We are in a spiritual war against a host of evil spirits that are in league with Satan. This host of evil spirits war against our commitment to serve God by tempting us to sin and discouragement. Over against these evil spirits are the angels of God who are for God's people. Jacob experienced was similar to what happened to Elisha's servant, (see II Kings 6:8-23). Elisha's servant stood trembling with fear because he could only see the two of them against the entire Syrian Army. Elisha asked God to open his servant's eyes. His spiritual eyes were opened. He could see that surrounding the Syrian Army was another army of horses and chariots of fire. This was the host of God that protects His people.
Again, remember what Jesus said to Peter when Peter drew his sword and was ready to fight for Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus said he could call twelve legions of angels to fight for him, (see Matthew 26:47-56).
God intended to encourage Jacob by this vision of the host of angels. God's invisible army was shown to Jacob. The sight of this camp of angels was a great source of comfort to Jacob. To know that you are surrounded by God's angels would encourage any child of God.
The vision that Jacob received was needed by him at that time. It was a God's promise to help him. The Lord promised Jacob that He would be with Him. Genesis 28:15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which /have spoken to thee of.
As New Testament believers we have the same promise in the book of Hebrews. God said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (See Hebrews 13:5,6). God often assures His people that He is present to help them. This is what happened to Jacob. God visualized His protection of Jacob by allowing Jacob to see the host of angels. It was a sign from God that He was with Jacob to fulfill His promises.
Jacob called the place Mahanaim. This Hebrew word means two camps or hosts. What this means is that Jacob knew there were two camps present. One was his own family group and the other was God's angels. This camp of angels surrounding him gave him assurance.
Let us go on to the third verse. Jacob sent messengers to meet his brother Esau and to inform Esau that he was coming. In verse six these messengers returned with the news that Esau was a short distance ahead. Esau was coming to meet Jacob with four hundred men. This number of men was far more than Jacob had. Jacob's band would have been no match in a hand to hand conflict.
How quickly he forgot what God had shown him. Jacob had seen a host of angel surrounding him and his family, but we are told that fear filled his heart. Notice the seventh verse, Jacob was afraid and distressed.
The reason Jacob was afraid is because that the last time he had seen his brother Esau, he had threatened to kill Jacob. Esau swore vengeance against Jacob for obtaining both the birthright and the blessing.
Jacob instantly thought Esau was coming to kill him. Notice verse 11, for I fear him, lest he come and smite me and the mother with children. This is a proverbial saying. The killing of a woman carrying a child was a proverbial way of expressing cruelty. Jacob expected Esau to treat him very severely.
Jacob was thrown into great alarm and fear. Have you ever dreaded something? If so, to hear that it is approaching can throw you into a state of anxiety and fear.
Jacob divided his family into two groups. His logic was that if Esau attacked one of the companies the other could escape and not all would be lost. He was taking every precaution possible. This demonstrates that his fears were real.
Jacob prayed. Please notice verses 9 through 11. First, he reminded God that he was acting on God's command. God was the One who had told him to return. It was because of Jacob's obedience to God that he had been brought into this distressing situation.
Second, Jacob also reminded God of His promise to be with him. After reminding God of both His command and promise, Jacob asked God to deliver him from the hand of his brother Esau.
Jacob was referring to the command and promise of God found in Genesis 31:3 And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
Jacob prayed but his mind was not satisfied nor his fears eliminated. He wanted a greater assurance from God. Therefore after Jacob had divided his company into the two groups and sent them on ahead, he spent the entire night in prayer.
Genesis 32:24-32 And Jacob was left atone; and mere wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the ho/low of Jacob's thigh was out of Joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 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. 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. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched me hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
Jacob's experience of wrestling with God occurred sometime after Jacob had received the vision of God's host. Jacob had seen the angels of God encamped about him. He had also previously prayed and asked God to deliver him, but he was not satisfied. He had to get alone with God and to get a firm grip on the promises of God.
Some of us have gotten use to prayers that are never answered. Some do not even expect God to answer their prayers anymore. Did you know that you can pray yourself into a state of unbelief by never expecting God to answer your prayers? Many are satisfied with the exercise of prayer though they never received an answer. It makes little difference to some if their prayers are not answered because they are not expecting an answer. They would be glad if an answer was granted but they are not really expecting one.
Some have already prayed themselves into a state of unbelief. How did they pray themselves into a state of unbelief? I repeat, by praying without the expectation of faith. Some have lost all confidence in their own prayers because of this.
Jacob is an example of a man who was not satisfied with merely praying. Jacob refused to be denied. He sought for and expected an answer to his prayers and was not disappointed.
Some have a false idea concerning submission to God's will. The way submission is interpreted often means that a person must simply accept situations or circumstances as they happen. Those who are examples of praying in the Bible requested God to change situations and circumstances and they were changed.
Did you know that if we are satisfied without receiving an answer to our prayers that we are losing one of the greatest evidences that God is a Living God? One of the greatest evidences that the Living God exists is that He hears and answers prayer. The Living God is distinguished from false gods by the fact that He hears and answers prayer, I repeat, we are often satisfied with prayers that do not receive an answer.
This is an important lesson about the need of persistent praying. Jacob wrestled with God all night. I want you to think about that statement. This all-night-wrestling experience was a foundational experience that made Jacob the man that he became.
How are we to interpret this wrestling? Are we to think of this wrestling as a physical wrestling match? Are we to interpret this wrestling in the sense that God himself in the form of a man wrestled around on the ground all night with Jacob?
First, consider that this wrestling was with God. Jacob not only wrestled with God but Jacob won. He overcame God. If God had taken on a human form, Jacob would not have been very much of a match for Him. This wrestling with God could not possibly be in a physical or literal sense because Jacob overcame God.
Second, we should not regard it as a dream or a vision but as an actual experience. A dream or a vision would not leave anyone crippled. This was a conscious experience. He was awake and aware of the entire ordeal.
It was a spiritual conflict of wrestling with God in supplication and prayer. Jacob overcame God in the sense that he received what he was asking. Jacob overcame by perseverance what appeared to be God's reluctance to grant his request
This wrestling ought to be interpreted in the same manner in which the prophet Hosea interpreted it. Hosea 12:3,4 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel and there he spake with us.
Hosea was pointing the people of his day to Jacob's experience of wrestling as an example for them to follow. Hosea explained the wrestling in following words, he wept and made supplication unto Him. What does this mean? Hosea looked upon Jacob's weeping and supplication as the distinguishing features of Jacob's wrestling.
How did Jacob prevail? The answer is by his tears and prayers. Jacob prevailed with God not by the power of the flesh but by the power of faith.
Jacob proved himself to be a true wrestler with God, spiritually speaking. That is why Jacob's name was changed to Israel. His new name indicated that he prevailed with God. Notice in Genesis 32:28, God said Jacob would be called Israel. This name is interpreted to mean, thou hast power with God and with men and hast prevailed. His very name announced that he had overcome or prevailed with God.
Jacob got a firm grip on God and refused to let God go until He blessed him. God requested Jacob to let him go. Jacob said, 7 will not let thee go, except thou bless me. "He was a true spiritual wrestler, (one who refuses to let go of God's promises until God blesses him).
I know what some of you are thinking. That this persistent wrestling seems contradictory to submission to God's will. Your idea of submission is that after a person asks for something and does not receive it then he should submit to God's will. But a true spiritual wrestler holds on and perseveres. One of the reasons that revival tarries is because there is not very much spiritual wrestling in prayer. When was the last time that you wrestled with God? When was the last time that you got hold on the promises of God and held on until the answer came? When was the last time that you wrestled with God and refused to be denied?
Some mistakenly believe that such praying would make God upset with them but in reality God was pleased with Jacob's persistent wrestling. God honored Jacob by blessing him. God granted Jacob's request because of his persistent wrestling.
Someone may object to this kind of praying by saying we are not that desperate. Conditions do not demand that we hold on to God in this manner, so they think. It is only after we are willing to face the reality of our present critical condition that we will ever lay hold upon God. Some deny that the church's spiritual condition is acute. I respond by saying live a little longer and events are going to prove beyond any doubt that we are in desperate need of God. You may not be convinced of it at the present but you soon will be.
Notice the 26th verse, And he (God) said, Let me go. Jacob answered, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Think about the following question. Was Jacob's refusal to let God go wrong? When God requested to be let go, should Jacob have obeyed? No, because if Jacob had let God go he would have demonstrated unbelief. God had given special promises to Jacob, I will bless you and I will be with you. Jacob had no right to believe that God would not fulfill these promises. He was bound to believe that God would be with him and bless him. Therefore Jacob could not comply with God's request to be let go.
Jacob had no reason to believe that God wanted to be let go. God had given Jacob promises that clearly expressed His will. God may delay in answering our prayers but never interpret God's delay as meaning that God has changed His mind. I repeat, to let God go would have been unbelief on the part of Jacob. He was bound to hold God to His promises. If Jacob's life was going to honor God, then he must receive the fulfillment of God's promises to him.
Remember Jacob had listened to God and was obeying God by answering God's call to return to his homeland. In the process of obeying the call of God, Jacob was brought into this desperate situation. He was bound to believe that God would deliver him out of it, because his obedience had brought him into it. Therefore Jacob was bound to assume that God's request to be let go was simply said to try his faith.
If God had failed Jacob then, God would have proven unfaithful. God promised, I will be with you, I will deliver you and it will be well with you. Those are specific promises that God had made to Jacob. Jacob was bound to refuse God's request to be let go and was bound to claim God's promised protection. Jacob owed it to God's honor not to let Him go.
Our casual acceptance of unanswered prayers and unfulfilled promises in the name of submission is a dishonor to God. Consider for example our powerlessness in view of God's promise to fill us with the power of His Spirit. Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the utter most part of the earth. Do you believe that our acceptance of powerlessness in the name of submission is an honor and glory to God? If you do, I confess, I do not understand your logic.
Someone may object by saying, "But, we must submit to God's will." That is correct. The question then is, was Jacob's refusal to let God go, consistent with the spirit of submission? Yes, it was! What is submission? Submission is the acceptance of the will of God as we understand it. God in Jacob's case had expressly revealed His will to Jacob by both a command and a promise. Return and I will be with you. God's apparent reluctance to fulfill His promise could not and would not have justified Jacob's consent to be denied.
The key to understanding this is that Jacob knew the will of God. When one knows the will of God then he can only honor God by claiming that will. What does this mean? It means there is a time to refuse to be denied.
I know what you are thinking. You do not know whether to believe that statement or not. You do not know whether it would be right to refuse to be denied. The truth is there is a time when a refusal to be denied of our request is right. That time develops when you know the will of God.
God respected Jacob's refusal. God really tried Jacob's faith. As Jacob was wrestling with God, the Lord put his hip out of joint. That should have broken his hold on God but it did not. He had such a hold on God that he refused to let God go until He blessed him.
Jacob knew that the One he was wrestling with could supply what he so desperately needed. God alone had what he needed. There are times when we may seem to get along well without God's special anointing. But God is the only One who can provide the outpouring of the Spirit that we so desperately
God respected Jacob because he honored God by his refusal to let God go. Whenever Jacob's new name Israel was spoken it was a reminder of this experience. Israel meant a true wrestler with God or one who had prevailed with God.
Jacob maintained his right to God's promise even in the face of God's reluctance to fulfill His promise. God withstood Jacob, but Jacob would not be denied. Why did God withstand him? God withstood Jacob not to deny his request but to try his faith.
A person who is not intense will not wrestle in prayer. Only those who recognize the present critical spiritual conditions would respond to a call to wrestle with God. Often persistence is the element that is lacking in our prayers. Perseverance is a necessary condition of answered prayer. A firm faith in the promises of God, accompanied by a firm hold on those promises, is the thing that is needed before our prayers for revival will be answered.
We may claim that we are simply yielding to the will of God when in reality we are willing to allow God's promises, with His honor and character, to be discredited. God's character is linked to His word of promise. Some are afraid to face this issue, but either the Bible is true or it is not. Either the Living God of the Bible exists or He does not.
The world claims that Christians are psychological cripples trusting in a non-existent God, but the Living God does exist. It is impossible to please God unless we believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Consider the expression, without faith it is impossible to please Him. What degree of faith must we have to please God? We must believe two things.
First, he that cometh to God must believe that He is. We must believe in the existence of God. We must believe that the Living God described in the Bible really exists.
Second, that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. God rewards those who diligently seek Him in prayer by faith. These two convictions describe the elements of faith of a true wrestler with God.
May God inspire you to be a spiritual wrestler. When God's honor is at stake we should refuse to be denied. If we permit God to be dishonored by unanswered prayer, then our submission is a mock submission. Let us take hold on the promises of God and refuse to be denied. *END*