Nov 19
17
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[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without proofreading.]
Introduction
You will notice that I am once again covering a large narrative section of the book of Genesis — Genesis 32:1 – 33:20. Here we find the story of Jacob’s preparations to meet his offended brother, Esau, his wrestling with the LORD, and his eventual reconciliation with Esau. I will not read the entire text at the start of the sermon today, as is our custom, but will read the three parts of the text as we come to them.
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I. Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau (32:1-21)
Let us consider, first of all, Jacob’s preparations to meet his offended brother, Esau, as described in 32:1-21.
Hear now the word of the Lord: “Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them he said, ‘This is God’s camp!’ So he called the name of that place Mahanaim. And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, instructing them, ‘Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now. I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’’ And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, ‘We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.’ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, thinking, ‘If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.’ And Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’’ So he stayed there that night, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau, two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milking camels and their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. These he handed over to his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, ‘Pass on ahead of me and put a space between drove and drove.’ He instructed the first, ‘When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?’ then you shall say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.’’ He likewise instructed the second and the third and all who followed the droves, ‘You shall say the same thing to Esau when you find him, and you shall say, ‘Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.’’ For he thought, ‘I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.’ So the present passed on ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp” (Genesis 32:1–21, ESV).
I have five observations to make about this section.
One, we should recognize from the outset Jacob’s unpleasant situation. No sooner had Jacob escaped the grasp of Laban than his mind was troubled by another threat — he would now have to face Esau, his older brother whom he has swindled out of his birthright and blessing many years earlier.
The last we heard about Esau was that he planned to comfort himself by killing Jacob for stealing his blessing. Rebekah, Jacob and Esau’s mother, told Jacob to go away to Laban and that she would send for him once Esau’s wrath had cooled — never did Rebekah send for him. And so Jacob was right to assume that his brother was still angry and desired to do him harm. Jacob was in a predicament. He had escaped from Laban, but he was heading towards Esau. He was stuck in between two enemies, both of whom were much stronger than he.
By the way, this is very similar to the situation that the people of Israel would find themselves in after their exodus from Egypt and prior to their conquest of Canaan. They, for a time, were in a very vulnerable place — a wilderness place — with strong enemies on every side. Their vulnerability must have pressed them to rely upon their God.
[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, you and I can relate to Jacob and to Israel here, for we have been redeemed by Christ Jesus. We have been freed from bondage to Satan, sin and the power of death. But we are not home. We are sojourners in a wilderness place. We are at once in this world but not of it. We see that there are enemies that threaten on every side. But we are to take courage knowing that God is with us. And because God is with us, we are able to sojourn in this place — yes, even in California — confidently, as we trust God to fulfill his promises and bring us safely into the heavenly land of promise.]
That leads me to my second observation about this section. Notice how the LORD comforted Jacob by reminding him of his presence. Jacob had escaped Laban and as he was entering the land of promise, “the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them he said, ‘This is God’s camp!’ So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.” God was always with Jacob, this we know. But as Jacob was obedient to go again to the land promised to him and to his descendents, he was shown this vision. Mahanaim means “two camps”. Jacob was alone, but here he was reminded that he was not really alone — the Lord and his army camped with him.
[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, neither are you and I alone. With our eyes we see only one camp here, but really there are two camps. The LORD is present with us along with the heavenly hosts, for “you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22–24, ESV). You and I are reminded of the Lord’s presence each Lord’s Day as we assemble together in the name of Christ. It is here in this place that we hear God’s word. It is here that we sign and pray to God. It is here that we see his kingdom manafest as we set our eyes upon others who also say, “Jesus is Lord”, and it is here that Christ’s broken body and shed blood is represented before us, as if the Lord were saying through the elements, did I tell you, “behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, ESV). Do not neglect the assembly, brothers and sisters, for it here that we are reminded that there are two camps — ours, and the heavenly camp of the God who will never leave us nor forsake us.]
Three, notice how Jacob took action to protect his camp. At first he sent messengers to Esau to inform him that he was coming. Undoubtably the purpose was also to get a sense of Esau’s disposition towards Jacob. The news was not good. Esau was coming out to meet Jacob and his camp with 400 men. People do not travel around with 400 men unless they intend to fight. Jacob understood this to mean that Esau intended to do him harm, and he was probably right. “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed”, and so he took this approach — he divided his camp into two. If Esau attacked one camp, the other might be able to escape.
[APPLICATION: Throughout this narrative it is apparent that Jacob was walking by faith. He went forward trusting in the promises of God. But he also took action. Brothers and sisters, I have said it before and must say it again — trusting in the Lord does not mean that we are to sit idly by. If we are in Christ we are to walk by faith. Notice that the Christian life will always involve these to things walking and believing. Have faith in God, but do not forget to walk. Trust in him, but also take action. Believe upon the Lord, but also be obedient.]
Four, notice that after Jacob divided his camp, he prayed. Some might criticize Jacob for dividing his camp first and then praying second. Those who are exceptionally pious might say that Jacob should have started with prayer and then moved on to action. But in Jacob’s defense, I think you would agree there are some circumstances that require action first, and prayer second. If your house is burning you ought to take action first and pray later, for example. We should refrain from being too critical of Jacob given the pressing circumstances. In fact, when we come to the prayer of Jacob we find a beautiful prayer — one that is permeated with trust in God and faith in his promises.
The prayer is found in 32:9-12 and it may be divided into five parts. One, Jacob addressed God as the “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac…” Some have wondered, didn’t Jacob coincided God to be his God too? And the answer is clearly, yes. But here Jacob refers to God as the God of Abraham and Isaac because his mind is set upon the promises of God given first to them, and then also to him. Two, Jacob emphasized what the LORD had commanded him to do when he referred to God as the “LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good…’” (Genesis 32:9, ESV). It is not that God needed to be reminded of this. Jacob prayed this way to remind himself of the promises of God. When he prayed in this way it was as if he said, LORD I need your help if I am to obey your command in regard to returning to the land! Three, notice the humility and utter brokenness of Jacob when he said, “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps” (Genesis 32:10, ESV). Here Jacob confesses what you and I have known to be true all along — that he was not worthy to be loved steadfastly by God; he did not deserve the Lord’s faithfulness. Fourthly, Jacob asked for the LORD’s provision, saying, “Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children” (Genesis 32:11, ESV). Fifthly, and lastly, Jacob based his prayer upon the promises of God that were previously given. Verse 12: “But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude’” (Genesis 32:12, ESV). What a wonderful prayer this was! It seems to be, judging by the content of this prayer, that our friend Jacob has progressed significantly in his sanctification over the past 20 years. Jacob addressed God as father. He prayed, not for selfish gain, but out of a desire to be obedient to God. He knew that he was unworthy and he readily admitted it. He humbly asked the Lord to help him. And this he did boldly as he believed upon the promises of God given to him previously.
The fifth and last observation that I have regarding this first section is that Jacob was very eager to appease Esau’s wrath. Certainly this was due, in part, out a desire for self-preservation. Jacob didn’t want to die, nor did he want any harm to befall his family. But there also seems to be a desire to make things right with Esau regarding their past.
Jacob sent a large gift to Esau ahead of the family. He sent 530 animals with his servants. These he sent in waves or droves. And he instructed his servants to greet Esau with the same words so that he would hear them again and again. When Esau asked the servants, “To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?” They were to reply saying “They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.’’ Notice that Jacob referred to himself as Esau’s servant, and Esau he called lord. This is quite a change of attitude from the last time Jacob and Esau were together. It seems to me that Jacob had been humbled, softened and sanctified during those years with Laban. Having been tricked and taken advantage of by Laban for those 20 years, it seems that Jacob now understands how awful it was to take advantage of Esau and trick him as he did all those years ago. He seems very eager to appease Esau’s wrath, to cover his sins, and to have the relationship restored.
[APPLICATION: It is interesting how the Lord disciplines and instructs his children. He instructs us by his word and Spirit, but often he will discipline us through sufferings. The Lord will sometimes teach us to hate sin by giving us over to it and it’s bitter consequences for a time. I do not think that any Christian will have real victory over habitual sin until he or she comes to see and believe that the sin is truly vile, dark, destructive and deadly. Some are wise see sin for what it is by believing the word of God. We might say that these learn the easy way. But others are more foolish. They toy with sin. Over and over again they indulge. And over and over again they reap the destructive consequences of sin. These, like Jacob, learn the hard way. But thanks be to God, in his mercy and grace he does also teach to hate that which is evil and cling to that which is good even if we must learn it the hard way.]
Jacob seems to get it now. What he did to his older brother all those years ago was wrong. Now he is eager make amends. More than anything he desires peace.
[APPLIACTION: Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18, ESV). Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, ESV). And in Ephesians 4:1-3 Paul urges the Christian “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3, ESV). I wonder, are you eager to be at peace with all men? Are you striving for it as Jacob did with Esau, against whom he had sinned?]
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II. Jacob Wrestles With God (32:22-32)
Up to this point in the narrative Jacob’s primary concern is his relationship with Esau. His preparations and prayers were about Esau and the reconciliation of their terribly broken relationship. But as the narrative unfolds we learn that this wasn’t God’s primary concern for Jacob. Even more important than Jacob’s relationship with Esau was Jacob’s relationship with God. Though it is evident that by this time Jacob had faith, and that his faith was growing, it appears that there was some unfinished business.
Here in 32:22-32 we learn that Jacob wrestled with God. Here now the word of the Lord: “The same night he [Jacob] arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 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. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ And he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ Then he said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.’ 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. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.’ The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 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.” (Genesis 32:22–32, ESV).
This story is one of the more mysterious stories found in the pages of holy scripture. Jacob was left all alone after sending his family and possessions across the Jabbok river. Why did he remain alone as the others journeyed onward? The text does not say. I think it is safe to assume that Jacob needed to be alone to do business with God. And while he was all alone he was assaulted by, what he at first thought was, a man. Evidently the wrestling lasted a long time until the “man” touched Jacobs hip to put it out of joint.
Who was this “man” that Jacob wrestled with? Well, as the event unfolded Jacob became aware that this was no mere man, but that he was wrestling with God himself. More precisely, he was wresting with the angel of the LORD, a physical manifestation of the investable God.
As daybreak drew near the “man” spoke to Jacob saying, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” Jacob’s reply was, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” It is clear from this reply that Jacob knew that he was wrestling with the LORD. This would have been a very strange request for Jacob to make if he thought that he was doing combat with a mortal enemy. Why would he say to an enemy, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Jacob was wrestling with God himself, and more than anything he desired the LORD’s blessing. The blessing of the LORD had already been pronounced upon Jacob by his father. Jacob had also received the promises of the LORD. But in this moment of trail, Jacob wanted the blessing of the LORD more than anything else.
[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, I wonder, do you have the same desire? Do you desire to be blessed of the LORD more than any other thing? Put differently, if you had to choose between great wealth, great health and all worldly pleasures, and being blessed in the LORD, what would you choose? To be blessed of the LORD is to belong to him and to have your sins forgiven. To be blessed of the LORD is to be in a right relationship with him. Psalm 32:1: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1–2, ESV). Romans 4:7: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin” (Romans 4:7–8, ESV). Which would you choose? The riches and pleasures of this world, or the blessing of being in right relationship with the LORD?]
Jacob would not let the “man” go until he blessed him. By this point in his life this was his leading desire — to know the LORD, and to be known by him.
Jacob prevailed. In verse 27 the “man” spoke to Jacob saying “‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ Then he said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed’” (Genesis 32:27–28, ESV).
Jacob was in this moment given the name Israel as a memorial to the change that had occurred within him. From birth Jacob was a heal snatcher. He was one who took advantage of others, his name meaning, “one who seizes”, or “one who supplants.” But here he is called Israel indicating that over time his character had changed. Instead of being a deceptive cheat, he was one who wrestled with God and prevailed.
This is the first time that the word “Israel” appears in the pages of holy scripture. Etymologically the world means, “he who struggles with God”. But it is this story that clarifies the significance of that name. It is true that Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed, but we must pay careful attention to the way in which he prevailed.
One, he prevailed — that is to say, he got the blessing — because God condescended. God pursued Jacob. God came to him to engage him and to reveal himself to him in the flesh. It is a ridiculous thought that a man would be able to wrestle with God at all, let alone for a long time so as to prevail over him. But God made himself low for Jacob. As a father wrestles with his toddler child and gives him the upper hand, so God permitted that Jacob wrestle with him for a time. The wrestling was prolonged, not because God was weak and Jacob strong, but because God condescended to Jacob’s capacity.
Two, he prevailed — that is to say, he got the blessing — only after being defeated by God. This sounds ridiculous at first, but it is true. Jacob prevailed by being defeated.
Three, he prevailed — that is to say, he got the blessing — only by crying out to God and pleading for his grace. “I will not let you go unless you bless me”, Jacob said.
In other words, Jacob “prevailed” with God, not because he pursued God and conquered him, but because God pursued him, wounded him, and brought him low. God brought Jacob to that place of utter humility so that the only thing he could do was to cry out to the Lord and say, do not leave me, but give me your blessing.
This, friends, is the only way for man to wrestle with God and prevail. If man is to prevail with the Lord, he must by humbled. He must be brought to the end of himself, and to that place of utter despair. If man is to prevail with the Lord, he must be brought low and to that place where the only thing he can do is to cry out for mercy.
Remember, this was Paul’s experience. Before his name was Paul the Apostle, he was Saul the persecutor of the church. He was arrogant in his opposition to Christ and his church, but the Lord humbled him, struck him with blindness, “and when we had all fallen to the ground, [he] heard a voice saying to [him] in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads’” (Acts 26:14, ESV). Saul the persecutor of Christ became Paul the Apostle of Christ, but only after being brought low.
The only way to prevail with God, is for him to first prevail over us. The way for man to conquer God (if I may speak in this way) is to be first conquered by him.
[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, all who rightly and truly bear the name, the Israel of God, have had this same experience. Like Saul and Jacob before, all who have God as their God and Father know what it is to wrestle with God, to be overcome by him, and thus, to prevail with him, so as to receive his blessings. The is why Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:24, ESV). Gaining Christ and the heavenly blessings that are found in him r requires that we first give up. We must tap out. We must come to the end of ourselves and say, Lord, I am nothing on my own. I have no strength — no hope. Save me.]
After Jacob was given the Israel as a memorial to the grace of God that was bestowed upon him, he then asked the “man” to reveal his name. And to maintain the mystery, the “man” said, “Why is it that you ask my name?’ And there he blessed him.” But Jacob knew the truth of the matter, “So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”
Not only was Jacob given the name Israel as a memorial, but he went on walking with a limp from that day forward. And so it is for all who have been subdued by Christ Jesus. They too walk with a limp. Having been humbled by God, they continue on in humility, being ever mindful of their inadequacy and the grace of God shown to them in Christ Jesus.
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III. Jacob Meets Esau (33:1-20)
In the third and final section of our text for today we hear of Jacob’s meeting with Esau. We will spend the least amount of time on this section, so listen very carefully now to the word of the Lord: “And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, ‘Who are these with you?’ Jacob said, ‘The children whom God has graciously given your servant.’ Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, ‘What do you mean by all this company that I met?’ Jacob answered, ‘To find favor in the sight of my lord.’ But Esau said, ‘I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.’ Jacob said, ‘No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.’ Thus he urged him, and he took it. Then Esau said, ‘Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.’ But Jacob said to him, ‘My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die. Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.’ So Esau said, ‘Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.’ But he said, ‘What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.’ So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir. But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. And Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel” (Genesis 33:1–20, ESV).
Three things should be noted.
One, take notice of Jacob’s humble disposition. Clearly, something changed in this man over the past 20 years. Notice how he humbly bowed before Esau, calling him lord. He gave him gifts as if restoring unto him the birthright and the blessing that he had stolen those many years ago. As I said before, those who have wrestled with God and have been subdued by him, walk with a limp. They walk humbly before God and man.
Two, notice Esau’s tenderness to Jacob. This is surprising given that Esau came out to Jacob as if prepared for war. Could it be that Esau intended to do Jacob harm at first, but had a change of heart while on the way? Could it be that the prayer of Jacob and the gifts that he sent had an affect? I think they did! Brothers and sisters, not only should we be concerned to have a right relationship with God, but also with man. We are commanded to “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, ESV).
Three, notice that while Esau vacated the land, Jacob entered it and took possession of it. This is a very important part of the story of redemption. Jacob, the younger of the two brothers, was the one who received the promises made to Abraham and to Isaac. To him it was said, “May [God] give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!” (Genesis 28:4, ESV). Now all these years laters we see the beginning of the fulfillment of this promises. Esau vacated the land, and Jacob entered in. “From the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for a hundred pieces of money the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent. There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel”, which means, “God, the God of Israel”. Clearly Jacob’s faith had matured. More than anything he desired God’s blessing, and above all he was devoted to the worship of his God in the land that was promised to him and to his offspring forever.
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Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, may the Lord bless you with the faith of Jacob. May you desire above all earthly things to be blessed in the Lord. May he humble you so that you bow the knee before him. May he conquer you so that you might have him as your God. May the aim of your life be to glorify him in all things. And may you sojourn well, until the Lord brings us into the promised land, the new heavens and earth earned by Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let us stand and sing the hymn, O God of Bethel.
O God of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed,
who through this weary pilgrimage
hast all our fathers led;
Our vows, our prayers, we now present
before thy throne of grace;
God of our fathers, be the God
of their succeeding race.
Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and raiment fit provide.
O spread thy covering wings around
till all our wanderings cease,
and at our Father’s loved abode
our souls arrive in peace.
