Genesis 32:1-12 // Facing Trails

Introduction:

Now Jacob has a new threat...if he is going to obey God and return home....he has to face his brother Esau.

Jacob is about to face the sins he ran from decades ago.

Genesis 32:2 ESV

And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

· God knows Jacob’s fear and what he is going to face

· And just wants him to know, “You are not alone.”

Genesis 32:3 ESV

And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom,

Jacob sent a delegation to “feel out” the situation

Seems legit except for the reason that is given.

(verse 5) “I have sent to tell my lord, that I might find favor in your sight.”

Jacob struggles to fully trust God.

Based on the text, this was more than simple courtesies.

God does not need a backup plan.

Now we say that we know that,

But how often do you trust God (but make a plan b)

Genesis 32:6 ESV

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.”

His attempt to handle the situation seems to have failed.

Jacob is greatly afraid and distressed.

Moses used three words to make the point.

This helps us relate to Jacob’s state of mind.

Greatly

Afraid – to be afraid or scared of something.

Distressed – to wrap envelop, tie up

Jacobs fear is suffocating!!!!

Have you been that kind afraid in your lifetime?

We might face challenges in our lives that completely paralyze us with fear!!!

Maybe we brought the opposition on ourselves with our sins (like Jacob)

(but) maybe even in our best efforts to live according to God’s will we find ourselves face to face with an enemy that scares us to the core!!!!!

What can we learn from Jacobs responses to fear?

Jacob divided the people who were with him.

Gen 32:7

This is loss management. (totally reactionary)

A “normal” immediate response to fear is to do something.

Later we find that Jacob sent elaborate gifts to appease his brother.

Reactionary responses seem understandable but are generally a waste of time.

Read Gen 33:8-9

Jacob prayed for God’s help.

Genesis 32:9-12

Jacob Prayer is a powerful plea to God (Even if Jacob didn’t completely trust God to solve it)

Remember that God is with you. (v1-4)

Remember who God is. (v9)

THEN remember that SAME GOD has a plan for you.

Remember how God has blessed you so far. (v10)

Remember God’s promises. (verse 12)

What does it mean to us?

· Maybe you know very well the kind of GIANTS this life can send to destroy you. Maybe your here because you’ve had to face those giants and somehow survived. I’m here to tell you that, you may have been as clueless as Jacob that God was delivering you from total destruction....but I’m telling that you are here today because He did.

Where is the Gospel in the story?

But one day ever person in here will face their sins. All of their sins in fact, at the Great White Throne Judgment.

On that day there will be no negotiation, to persuasion, there will be only one thing you can offer to avoid the wrath that you deserve...I received the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Should my good deeds help?

When you treat deeds like that you are making them a commodity.

Well think about that...God is the actual force of what is “good” so what kind of leverage do you plan on having.

And...how do you measure your deeds as “good”.....

Jesus once asked, “Why do you call me good?”

Are you measuring what is good according to a human definition and not God’s?

God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross and wants us to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior....if you refuse to do that....then that’s not good....and neither are you.