Genesis 32:1-32

What Genesis 32 shows us is that, when we are wrestling with a crossroads moment in our life, we are also called to wrestle with God.

Outline

  • First, Genesis 32 shows us how we should wrestle with our crossroads (32:1-21)
    • We can wrestle with our crossroads through a forward-facing plan (32:1-5)
    • We can wrestle with our crossroads through an inward-facing panic (32:6-8)
    • We can wrestle with our crossroads through outward-facing persuasion (32:13-21)
    • We can wrestle with our crossroads through upward-facing prayer (32:9-12)
  • Second, Genesis 32 shows us how we should wrestle with God (32:22-32)
    • When we wrestle with God, his presence is made manifest in our worries (32:22-24)
    • When we wrestle with God, his power is made perfect in our weakness (32:25-28)
    • When we wrestle with God, his purpose is made clear in our world (32:29-32)

Christ Connections

  • When Israel wrestles with God, it points ahead to the sacrifice of Jesus in several ways:
    • Like Jacob, Jesus is separated from the people and goes outside the camp into the wilderness in a struggle that will culminate in him enduring the wrath of God. 
    • Like Jacob, he comes face to face with God in judgment.
    • Like Jacob, he is struck near the hip socket as a Roman spear pierces his side and takes his life.
    • Like Jacob, Jesus wrestles with God and does not let him go until he receives the blessing.
    • Like Jacob, Jesus receives a new name that is above every name.

Applications

  • The Crossroads moments happen in life when we find ourselves with uneasy hearts because we are facing an unclear choice about an uncertain future.  The root issue in crossroads moments is when difficult circumstances develop deep questions and dark doubts. Some examples include:
    • Financial crossroads: unexpected bill for a major repair & unsure how to make ends meet. 
    • Relational crossroads: unexpected drama with a roommate or spouse & unsure how to make a way forward.
    • Personal crossroads: unexpected crisis from a health setback & unsure how to get better. 
    • Professional crossroads: unexpected job situation with that new boss or new opportunity & unsure how to handle it. 
    • Spiritual crossroads: unexpected spiritual doubts and dryness from the church hurt & unsure if you will ever see God the same way again.
  • We can pray in our crossroads by looking backward to our calling, looking inward to confession, outward in commitment, and forward towards God’s covenant.
  • When we wrestle with God, we need to realize that he often has to bring us to the end of ourselves before he can bring us to the beginning of his presence We  often want the blessing without the battle, but this text tells us that the favor comes through the fight. He has to break us before he can bless us, he has to refine us before he can rename us, he has to bring us to the end of our strength before we can come to the beginning of his strength.