Wrestled (Struggled) With God.

We are living in a weird time.

We are living in a deceptive time.

We are living in a time of counter-fits.

Genesis 25:21-26

And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

23 And the LORD said to her,“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau.

26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Esau was too hungry and tired. In other words he was carnal and compromising.

Gen. 25:22–23 The observation that the children struggled together within her (v. 22) introduces one of the main themes of chs. 25–36. The relationship between the twin boys will be largely hostile. Conflict between brothers is a recurring motif in Genesis, beginning with Cain and Abel, and is a constant reminder of the negative impact of the fall on human existence. Yet the divine revelation that the older shall serve the younger (25:23) prepares the reader to expect that Jacob will have a significant role to play in the development of the unique family line in Genesis. Normally, younger brothers were subservient to the firstborn male, who enjoyed special privileges associated with the concept of primogeniture. On this reversal of human expectations, see

Genesis 32: 22-21(ESV)

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.

23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had.

24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.

26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

This unique, nightlong wrestling match at Peniel ends with the 97 year old Jacob having a change of name (v. 28) and the place having a new name assigned to it (v. 30) in order to memorialize it for Jacob and later generations. The limp with which he emerged from the match (vv. 25, 31) also served to memorialize this event.

The Complete Jewish Study Bible: Notes Chapter 32

32:29 “From now on, you will no longer be called Ya‘akov, but Isra’el.” The name Ya‘akov in Hebrew means “May God be your defending rear guard” (cf. Isa. 52:12). To “Ya‘akov,” his given name, God now adds a name of further blessing, “Isra’el,” indicating someone who has successfully struggled with God. Both names are used interchangeably hereafter. His additional name is consistent with his inheriting the covenant promises, as he had to step into the family’s leadership role. His new name may also mean “one who is a prince with God.”

Apostolic Study Bible: King James Version: Notes Notes

The word “wrestled” is found as a verb only in this verse. Its noun form occurs six times and is translated dust or powder. Thus it means to kick up a cloud of dust by vigorous activity. The “man” who wrestled with Jacob was identified by Jacob as God

Key Points:

Conflicting Kingdoms

Flesh Vs Spirit

2 Corinthians 5:14–18 (ESV)

[14] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

[15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

[16] From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

[18] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

I SEE STARS

Genesis 26:4 ESV

I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,