February 22, 2013
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE
Genesis 32:22-32
Paul Hoppers
Central Truth
When we wrestle with God, we can experience His strength and love.
Key Verse | Genesis 32:24
Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. (Genesis 32:24)
Genesis 32:22-32
Jacob Wrestles with God
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, 1 32:22 Or sons 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, 2 32:28 Israel means He strives with God, or God strives 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, 3 32:30 Peniel means the face of God 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. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.
Dive Deeper | Genesis 32:22-32
When I was young, we had an old mattress on the floor of an empty bedroom in our house. My dad and I used to pretend that it was our wrestling mat, and we would wrestle each other on it when he came home from work. I remember knowing that my dad could have taken me down every time, but I knew that he wouldn't. During those times I experienced my dad's strength and his love.
I wonder if that's how Jacob felt when he was wrestling with God. God could have easily won His wrestling match with Jacob just like my dad could have won our wrestling matches. God allowed Jacob to wrestle with Him all night. God finally put an end to the wrestling match showing Jacob that He was more powerful by giving him a limp. And He showed Jacob that He loved him by giving him a blessing. Jacob then recognized that he had seen God, and his life had been spared.
I think of wrestling with God as going through hard times. God demonstrates His love and strength to us during hard times in many ways. When I went to Haiti, I saw a lot of hardship and suffering. But the people there who knew God were filled with joy, peace, and strength that didn't match their circumstances. I saw firsthand how God's peace can transcend all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I hope I can respond the same way when I wrestle with God.
God has demonstrated His love for me by sending Jesus as a sacrifice for my sins, allowing me to have parents who love me, giving me friends who care for me and a church where I am excited to learn more about how to tell others what Jesus has done for me.
Discussion Questions
1. How are you wrestling with God?
2. Are you able to rest in God's strength?
3. What are some of the ways that God has demonstrated His love for you?
4. Who is someone you can tell about God's strength today?