Grace Bible Church
Pastor/Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
This person was a powerful individual who could bless him and Jacob wanted His blessing.
Prin-God blessed Jacob in the very place that He disabled him.
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.
The name Israel has been interpreted by different scholars as "prince with God," or "he strives with God," "God's fighter" "let God rule," or "God commands".
Giving a new name in Bible times meant either a change in nature or a change in relationship.
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 was also destined to be a God-governed man instead of an dishonorable supplanter.
As Paul bad a thorn in the flesh given to humble him lest he should be exalted about measure by the abundant revelations so Jacob's lameness was to remind him of this very meaningful and humbling scene.
What was the nature of this Divine blessing? First of all, it was a change in the man's state.
Secondly, It was not the outward deliverance from Esau that Jacob needed, it was the inner deliverance from the Jacob's old sin nature that he really needed.
Jacob understood, so he named the place Peniel, "the face of God."
Prin-With his bodily infirmity, he was a stronger man than he had ever been before.
Secondly, he felt better able to meet Esau, a lame man than he had felt before in the pride of strength.
Because he felt better able to meet Esau as a lame man than he had felt before in the pride of his strength.
It is one thing to step up to a new spiritual level; it is quite another to maintain it.
PSA 106:13 They quickly forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel,
No matter how hard they try they can't go back to the devil's world and enjoy it.
In GEN 32:28 we are told concerning Jacob that the Lord said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel;
He could not be called Israel because he had immediately reverted back to the life of Jacob.
God is very compassionate toward us and if we do not learn His lessons at once, He will present them to us again and again, in one form or another, until at last His objective is accomplished in our lives.
1. The first failure was in his manner of meeting Esau, verses 1-11.
2. The second failure was in the deceit to which Jacob resorted, to free himself from Esau's company, when Esau offered him the protection of his armed men, 12-16.
3. The third failure was in settling at Shechem, a place which he will totally regret which represents going only half way with the Lord.
We have the tremendous experience with the Lord then we have the coming of Esau.
God prepares us and then tests His preparation in us.
2Ch 14:7 "Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
A believer is most vulnerable to failure after a great spiritual victory, like Elijah in 1Ki 19.
MAT 13:21 they have no firm root in themselves, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.
ROM 12:14, Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.
1CO 4:12 when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;
GAL 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.
2TH 1:4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.
2TI 3:12 And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus [execute the PPOG] will be persecuted.
When it does come be sure to do what Jacob did not do and draw heavily upon all those resources of strength and comfort which have been stored up through your relationship with God.
"bowing down to the ground" was an honor and a tribute that you would do in the ancient world toward a king or someone you would highly respect.
There are two ways of meeting troubles: the one is the way of the flesh; the other, of the Spirit.
Do not lift up your eyes and look for Esau's.
MAT 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
If you're going to look for something in life, do what HEB 12:2 says, HEB 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Those who have seen the face of God, as believers in the church-age do through the intake of doctrine, need not fear the face of man.
LUK 15:20 "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.
In GEN 27:7, Isaac said to Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the Jehovah before my death.'
PSA 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;
PSA 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
ECC 2:11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
Prin-Not only are all of our fleshly planning and efforts dishonoring to God, but they are uncalled for and unnecessary.