Genesis 32:1-32

Last week we were hosted by Freedom Motorcycle Church, and I’m looking forward to getting to know Pastor Brett over there better. He started telling me stories about doing a funeral for a Blood gang member, among other ministries. I want to just sit down with him and let him impart wisdom onto me about how to deal with people like that.

Jeff did a great job last week with his most recent “talk.” We’ll call them “Jeff Talks” I think, instead of “Ted Talks.” He spoke with us about the importance of knowing the truth, and sometimes the truth is hard to hear. Sometimes it cuts us very deep, because it challenges us about the fact that we’re not the true authority in our lives. Today, Jacob will be face to face with The Truth, and he’ll leave changed. Thanks so much Jeff for filling in for me last week.

A few weeks ago, we went thru Genesis 31, where Jacob and his family leave and head back to the promised land. There’s just one problem, though, they left without having a party! At least, that’s what Laban said he would have done, had Jacob and Rebekah and Leah told him that they were leaving. There is a reason why Jacob didn’t tell Laban he was leaving though.

Genesis 31:2 “2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.” Jacob knew the face of his father-in-law, and especially when he was angry. Why was he angry?

Well, back in Gen 30, we read that Jacob tried to leave, and Laban said “the Lord has prospered me while you were working for me, stay and work and I will give you whatever you want.” Jacob says “I’ll take the unwanted sheep only, you keep the white ones.” So, Laban decides to have his sons remove the existing sheep that are striped, speckeled, and brown, and take them away, making it impossible for Jacob to succeed in having a large flock.

Fast forward 6 more years, for a total of 20 that he worked for his father-in-law for free, and we learn that it was truly the Lord that prospered Jacob. See, Jacob had this plan that he would cut strips in trees and lay them out before the sheep and, in doing so, those sheep would bear young that had the same pattern on them. This is not how procreation works…but something Jacob knew that nobody else did was this:

Genesis 31:6–9 NKJV

6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father. 7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. 8 If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked. 9 So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.

I can’t imagine Laban’s surprise and frustration. It’d be like a scene out of a Mel Brooks movie. You younger generation might say an Adam Sandler movie. I don’t know what it would equate to today, honestly, but I’d go from “What?” to “C’mon” to “You’ve got to be kidding me” to probably anger. Something is happening that he couldn’t stop and it was bad for business for Laban.

So, Jacob tells his family to go and get ready to leave, and they gather all of their things, but Rachel decides to grab his father’s idols as well, which we find are his gods, and she hides this from her husband too.

Now, Laban is very angry, and he saddles up his posse and takes off after them. On his way, the Lord shows up to him in a dream and says “Be careful even what you say to Jacob.” Does Laban know this Lord that spoke to him? No. He’s godless now…who is this one that talks to him that he had not made? Befuddled, and knowing that HIS gods can’t do anything to him, he catches up and postulates:

Genesis 31:26–30 NKJV

26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? 27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp? 28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’ 30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”

It sounds to me like he’s saying some not-so-good things here, but he tries to explain that he would have given them a party when they left, which Laban would have never done, but laments more than anything, why did you steal my gods?

Jacob responds with anger, because he knows nothing about this, and says “Kill the person who took your goods, it was not me.” Laban searches for the gods but does not find them because Rachel hides them under her as she sat saying it was “the matter of women” and she couldn’t stand for him to search there too.

After finding nothing, Jacob finally blows his lid, and said “Where is my sin?” And he says it was the God of Abraham, and the fear of his father Isaac that gave him favor. Jacob didn’t identify that they were HIS God, but theirs.

We discussed the difference between sin and just having a differing of opinion. It’s important for us, as Christians, to know the definitions of sin as given to us in Exodus 20, and if it does not fit into one of these categories, then you just have a disagreement, and you need to come together.

If it IS sin however between you and a brother or sister, it’s our job to go make it right, repent and restore the relationship as much as it depends on us.

So, Laban proposes a covenant, that they set up a heap and a pillar as a line in the sand, like the Hatfields and McCoys. You stay on that side, I’ll stay on this side, and if you come to my side, I’ll kill you. So they agreed, feasted, then Laban went home empty handed, bested, not by Jacob, but by God.

Now, we find ourselves at the beginning of some of the interesting portions of all of the Bible in this chapter. Let’s get started

Genesis 32:1–5 NKJV

1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim. 3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

How would Jacob recognize these angels of God? Didn’t he see them before? In Gen 28, what was going up and down the ladder Jacob saw to Heaven? Angels. He knows what these beings looked like. God is reminding Jacob that he’s protected.

Jacob is headed to meet his brother Esau whom hated Jacob. Jacob was sent away from his parents in Chapter 30 for a few days until Esau’s anger subsided, at least, that’s what his mother thought. Those “few days” turned into 7,300+ days, that’s 20 years in days. Esau will be angry with Jacob forever for stealing his blessing

We see that Jacob’s training took him some time to go thru, proof that the Lord is patient in His training, knowing that a good work done by the Lord is evident over time. That’s what our life is, isn’t it? How do you become good at something? You train yourself, you work toward a goal and sometimes it seems bleek, like you’ll never get there, doesn’t it?

Jacob calls where they both camp Manahaim, which means “two camps.” Previous to this, had Jacob recognized God as His God? No. His first encounter with the Lord seems so soon to us, but it was so long ago to Jacob. Now, as this fear of facing Esau is creeping up on him, he’s starting to look for the Lord and He’s starting to see him working now.

Jacob is still operating out of fear, even though he sees this angelic host around him, so being shrewd, he concocts a plan to set his brother’s anger at ease with him. Jacob wants Esau to know he doesn’t need anything from him, he’s returning wealthy and poses no threat to his brother, whatever he can do to quell his brother’s anger

He’s nervous, and rightfully so. So, the messengers return and give Jacob the news:

Genesis 32:6–8 NKJV

6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. 8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”

Oh no. Esau wanted to make his grand entrance…and now he hears his brother is coming. How old are these men? Both almost 100. Ever been beat up by a 100 year old man? Neither had Jacob, but why was he afraid? His brother wasn’t coming alone to meet him. He wasn’t like Laban bringing a few men with him…he had an army with him.

Jacob is a man of plans, though, isn’t he? He has survived so far by caniving, so what’s what he’ll do. And his plan is a good one for self preservation. He is willing to sacrifice people in exchange for his life, though…and this is not the move of a great tactician here, it’s the smell of fear and desperation. What is the FIRST THING a desperate person does? What Jacob does, pray:

“Ok, I’ll do this, maybe this…Oh God!”

Genesis 32:9–12 NKJV

9 Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. 11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. 12 For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ”

What does it take to get you to verse 10 and 11 in your life? Let’s read it again:

Genesis 32:10–11 “10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. 11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.”

Do you pray like this? Are you honest like this? What do you face that puts you in this mood? Dire straits, right? Do you recognize the fact that without the Lord giving it to you, you’d have nothing?

We never pray like this when things are going well, do we? Do any of you? I do. You should see my journal. This is the way I start most of my days. I am not worthy. Lord, YOU are worthy. I had nothing, now I have all of this.

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Take the Lord’s promises and hold them tight. If you’ve never done a study on the Promises the Lord makes to us, do it. Here are some:

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Wait, this promise sounds like He’s talking to someone who’s going thru a trial…or headed into one…or coming out of one.

Take comfort, your life IS NOT IN YOUR HANDS. What do the promises of the Lord say? Fear not! Don’t lose heart! Stand up! Persevere! Keep Going! It gets better! Be Faithful!

What is He saying to us? LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT I CAN DO WITH YOU! You don’t think you can do it. I BELIEVE IN YOU more than YOU BELIEVE IN ME. Oh you of little faith!

Now, Jacob is charged up, what’s he going to do now?

*2 SLIDES*

Genesis 32:13–16 NKJV

13 So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. 16 Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves.”

Genesis 32:17–21 NKJV

17 And he commanded the first one, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?’ 18 then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’ ” 19 So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, “In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; 20 and also say, ‘Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.’ ” For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.” 21 So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.

…Have any of you ever asked your kids to do something big? You know, like “Clean the bathroom.” Then, you go to work, and come home 8 hours later, and the one thing, the one thing you asked them to do didn’t get done.

They come out and meet you at the car. Father, we are so thankful you are home! Look at all we have done to your castle. Look at the table, we cleaned it of all of the silverware. Don’t mind the papers and the glitter in the crevices, and that pair of scissors, and the battery, we just don’t know where that came from. Look at the couch though…nothing on there, except that popcorn bag that’s between the cushions...

After the hero’s welcome, you walk around, they worked hard, my wife would give them a 79% That’s passing. You walk into your bathroom and the one thing you asked them to do. The one thing you asked them to do. You’re one job. F.

Jacob prayed an amazing prayer, recognizing he is terrible at life, but the Lord gives him all things. You’d think, like we would, that we’d make a change, take a deep breath, and say “I’m going to do what the Lord’s sent me to do. Return to my home and that means facing my brother.”

What does Jacob do? He continues with his plan…like my kids do: Look at all the rest of this stuff I did for you!

BUT, you didn’t do what I asked you to do! God doesn’t want our sacrifice, he doesn’t want our eloquent words. He wants our obedience. I sent you into this world to do ONE THING. Proclaim ME to the nations. Just do that. Nothing else matters. It’s CHRISTmas coming up here soon. What does it mean to you? Anything other than Jesus is unacceptable to Him.

What is Jacob sending? He’s sending a bribe. He’s sacrificing his pawn to save his queen, to use chess terms. If Esau takes them out, what’s Jacob going to do? He’s going to run, isn’t he? Moment of power in that prayer, followed by cowardess…just like us.

Genesis 32:22–23 NKJV

22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had.

He even sent his family over before him. Sent them hours ahead of himself. Here Jacob is, with nothing. He’s alone and afraid, not knowing what the morning will hold for him.

This is a man who met the Lord, then the Lord showed his greatness a few times. Now, as seems to become a theme…a rash decision turns out to be something the Lord can use to do something great. The kiln has been heated, and Jacob is in the crucible, about to be plunged into the fire.

Genesis 32:24–26 NKJV

24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

Jacob is nearly 100 years old. Wrestling with this man. Who is it? Joshua 5 and Hosea 12 use this same term when the Angel of the Lord appears. The Angel of the Lord is a a Christophany, It’s not an angel, they are named, Gabriel, Michael. The Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament is the only part of the Triune God that can be Man on earth.

This is not a man born on earth. He just shows up at pivotal moments thruout history to set His plans straight.

Now, Jacob had been wrestling with the Lord in his mind for 20 years, since that night under the stars in Bethel. Now, he was truly wrestling with the Lord, fighting Him, not wanting to give up what he wanted. He held on, just like he did when he was born, and wouldn’t let go.

How did Jacob hurt his hip? Was it a “sorry man, I didn’t mean to do that.” They wrestled all night, and the Lord hurt him, disabled him. ON PURPOSE.

Now, why would a good and powerful God ever hurt someone? Why? Doesn’t God want what’s best for us? Why doesn’t He just give us what we want? - There’s the quote of the generations, isn’t it?

What did the Angel of the Lord say to Jacob when he wouldn’t give up wrestling with Him, holding onto this world AND the Lord at the same time? Not wanting to give either up? What did God say?

Genesis 32:27–32 NKJV

27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” 31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank.

Has God ever asked you “What is your name?” You know, He has His own names for us. It’s a name only He knows, and we will know it when He reveals it to us. What does He call Jacob here? Israel. Israel means “God Prevails.” He says “You have struggled with God and with man.”

Jacob was a man that was governed by man, governed by this world. Now, moving forward, limping forward, he would be a man governed by God. What did God do with Jacob? He broke him. He hurt him in a way that would stop him from doing the one thing he was good at. Running away. He would now have a visible infirmity to remind him of this moment in time.

Many of us in this room were put thru tragedy and picking up the pieces the past 2 weeks. This has been 2 of the hardest weeks of my life. I’m teaching you here this morning out of exhaustion. Many of you, most of you poured out almost to the point you are empty, all to support and cover the wounds of our friends.

This is the church lived out. You guys are awesome. I’m honored to be your pastor. You inspire me, and my wife to lead righteously and gently. You have made a lasting difference on people you barely know. God bless you for that. We all, also, let some new people pour into us too! There were powerful words and messages spoken, worship was powerful. That’s the mighty hand of God.

Why would the Lord hurt someone on purpose? Why would God allow pain? Why would He cut you so deep and intimately? Because it’s the only way we will let go of what we think we need and reach for Him.

He cuts to the bone to heal us properly. When He binds our wounds, he binds them with His people. He tells us if we love Him we’ll leave our father and mother and follow him. He says sell your things and give them to the poor.

To get to Heaven, we must give up ourselves and submit to new management. Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth, and He is the Life everlasting. Are you still holding on to the world, while trying to hold on to God? What must you give up?

This time of year is the most stressed and broken time of the year for many families. There is one in our midst that will never be the same this year for Christmas. What helps them? The church helps them. You, and me, living out the evidence of Jesus redeeming blood on our brothers and sisters.

You can’t know how to heal someone if you’ve never been hurt. This church body knows what it’s like to hurt. The Lord allowed that for a reason. That’s why you’re so powerful, because the Lord taught you how to heal. Don’t waste your pain. Use it.

Are you hurting today? Broken? Confused? Alone? Are you in need of a change in direction in your life? Are you making a new commitment to the Lord, to walk in His ways? Do you want to feel His good pleasure?

Go and help someone heal. Go bless someone this Christmas, you’ve got 2 weeks. Invite someone to YOUR Christmas get together. We don’t have a Christmas Eve service. I know of a couple places that are having them on Christmas Eve.

Go serve someone this Christmas. Make someone else an honorary family member. Watch what happens when you take on the role of the hands and feet of Jesus, because beautiful are those feet of those who bring good news.

KIDS AND CIDER