Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
Cease strive and know that I am God.
Friday, September 6, 2002
He found that when we can no longer wrestle, we can cling.
The blessing that he received was not just the name change but the power to look at himself and life from divine viewpoint with a different mental attitude and a different perspective.
COL 1:29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
One of the most fascinating indications of the condescension of God is that He is willing to allow our prayers or repeated requests to inspire Him to act.
When God withdraws Himself from anyone, it is always because He is righteous and just and does not desire to force Himself on others.
2PE 3:9 The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
1TI 2:4 He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The laming of Jacobs thigh represents the weakening of the strength of the flesh.
1SA 2:9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail.”
The failure of Jacobs natural power is the turning point in this wrestling match and marks as well as symbolizes the transition in Jacobs life and character - from reliance upon self and craftiness to reliance upon God.
PHI 4:13 I can do all things through Him who keeps on pouring His power in me.
There is a strife between God and man which is real but not hostile.
At times there is a conflict between man and God which is not one of hostility in which God wins but also blesses us in the process.
To save Jacob from Esau, it was necessary that God first meet Jacob as an enemy and show him that his real opponent was God Himself, and that he must get right with Him before he could overcome his enemies.
PSA 46:10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Jacob overcame God, not with the power of the flesh with which he had wrestled with God and against man, but by relying on the power of God.
He wanted to emphasize upon the conscience of Jacob the meaning of his name being changed from Jacob, a contender or one who overthrows, to Israel a prince with God.
He had contended for the birthright and had succeeded, GEN 25:29-34.
He had contended for the blessing and succeeded, Gen 27.
He had contended with Laban and succeeded, Gen 31.
He contended with God, the Wrestler; he failed but prevailed.
Israel = “prince with God,” “he strives with God,” “Gods fighter,” “let God rule,” “God strives,” or “God commands.”
Jacob was to become Israel - the root verb means to struggle or strive with determination, and then to rule.
Israel = a title of victory and speaks of contending for the faith with power from God.
In this magnificent struggle, Jacob came to realize his own weakness and the superiority of the mighty One who had touched him.
The new name Israel suggests royalty and power and sovereignty among men.
He would be reminded that it was because of the gracious condescension of our Lord that victory was given to him.
Before we can receive power as a creature, we must obtain it from the Creator.
“Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
JOB 5:21 “You will even be hidden from the scourge of the tongue”
It was a change in Jacobs condition.
It was not the outward deliverance from Esau that Jacob needed, it was the inner deliverance from the old sin nature of Jacob that he really needed.
There was such a change of nature because Jacob depended so much upon his human strength and human power, that when it was taken away he was forced to rely on the power and wisdom of God.
PSA 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
NKJ - PSA 19:12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
There is a secret closet in every heart where the soul stores up its skeletons and in many cases refuses to even admit that there is a problem.
In many cases, these things are totally different and contrary to the character of the individual and therefore are suppressed and hidden in the secret chamber of mens hearts.
In this discouraging area of our life, our only effectual resource is God.
EPH 4:27 and do not give a place to the devil. Place - topaz = a room.
ISA 5:13 Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge;
HOS 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Just as doctrine gives the rooms of the soul pleasure and freedom, a lack of doctrine in the rooms of the soul produces slavery and bondage.