A Battle of Wills

O.T.#67  "A Battle of Wills"
June 12, 2012
Genesis 32-Part 1
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
Genesis 32:24

LET IT GLOW

Our daughter was a strong willed child growing up. Maybe that was because she was our first born. Well, she met her match-her father. He always told her that he would win if she wanted a battle of wills. Sometimes she would challenge him, other times she would surrender without a fight. Oh,
he would listen to her side, but he had the ultimate say so. She would try hard to win her case,
but lost. Jacob was the same way, but he too met his match-Jesus. Want to watch a good wrestling match?

Jacob went on his way. He had left one relative (Laban, his father in law) and now was going to
meet another (Esau, his twin brother). Somewhere in between the farewell and hello, Jacob encountered the angels of God again. Didn't he wonder why they were there? Why didn't Jacob
stop and inquire of them? At least, why didn't he ask them what was going on? God sent His angels, messengers to him, so something why didn't they get his attention?

Jacob even named the place of encounter-Mahanaim, which means double camp. Jacob began in obedience to God's command (return to Bethel), and he was met by God's messenger to encourage him. Naming the place this name possibly referred to his camp and the angel's camp.

Jacob's mind was focused on his upcoming meeting with Esau, instead of meeting with the Lord.
Esau was coming and Jacob was about to meet up with his forgotten past. Would Esau forgive him
or fight him? Would Jacob loose everything he had schemed to acquire? How tragic it is when the past catches up with sinners. Geography could not erase Jacob's past nor cold twenty years of history change it.  (Wiersbe)

Jacob had deceived his father, Isaac and received the blessing of God instead of Esau. Jacob pretended to be his twin brother. If you aren't familiar with the story, read chapter 27-28.

This was Jacob's first recorded prayer since his encounter with God at Bethel enroute to Laban
 (28:20-22). (MacArthur)
Twenty years is a long time to go without praying, don't you think?

What would we do if our past caught up with us? Would we run away or face it? Would we devise
a scheme to manipulate it or yield to it and confess our sins?

LET IT GROW

Before Jacob met Esau, he three other meetings:

1. He met God's angels (verse 1-20). Back in chapter 28 at Bethel, Jacob first saw these angels. They should have reminded Jacob that God was in control. However, he failed to put his faith in God who promised to protect him, years ago. Psalm 91:11-13 says For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, least thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Jacob divided his company into 2 groups and ignored the protecting angel army. He was afraid and distressed. He tried to bribe Esau with gifts. Here we go again-Jacob and his scheming. Is his flesh going to rule   over God's Spirit? Jacob sent his family and possessions across the Jabbok River for protection. (Esau had 500 men with him.) Jabbok means for wrestled.
2. He met the Lord (verses 21-26). After Jacob took his steps in carnal confidence, then he asked for God's help. Doesn't that sound like us? When all else fails, ask God to help, pray. "Prayer based upon God's promises assures answers; God's Word never fails!" says Liberty Bible Commentary. Why don't we go to Him first in prayer? When Jacob was alone, he wrestled   with the preincarnate Christ. Have you been wrestling with Jesus? If it's a battle of wills, He will win every time. His will will be done. May as well yield at the start. Jacob was defending himself and refusing to yield for a while. What will it take for us to yield our will?
3. He met himself (verses 27-32). Jesus crippled Jacob, placing his thigh out of joint, so he wouldn't win the match. Jacob received the blessing after he admitted who he was-Jacob means deceiver, supplanter. His name was changed to Israel, which means God's fighter or may God strive. Jacob had to surrender first, admitting his sins. Jacob had been broken by  God. Pride didn't win this match. The conflict wasn't against Esau or Laban, but against    Jesus. Jacob's self-sufficiency had to be redirected to God.

(Resources: Wiersbe's Expositiory Outlines on the Old Testament, Liberty Bible Commentary)

Are you wrestling with Jesus? Will you surrender and let Him be Lord of your life? What will it require? Will it require a breaking your heart before you surrender to Jesus?

LET IT GO

Quit hanging onto the flesh and grab hold of Jesus.

Stop bribing, deceiving, and scheming-pray instead.

Yield to Jesus so He wins the battle of wills so I don't have battle scares.