Title: WRESTLING WITH GOD

Text: Genesis 32:22-32

Introduction:

1. On TV – professional wrestling is watched by many

2. Many follow it with a passion, pulling for favorite star

3. Is it sport? Is it just entertainment? Some combination?

4. Now let's examine a REAL match – man vs. God!

5. Jake (Jacob) vs. Jehovah

1. Background – What led to this event?

   1. Twin brothers – at odds – not seen or spoken in years

   2. Esau comes to meet his brother – Jacob afraid (11)

   3. Esau comes with 400 men (army)

   4. Jacob lined up wives + children – Jacob stayed behind

2. Reasons – What are the reasons for the wrestling match?

   1. Name change – Jacob (supplanter, self-sufficient, self-seeking) to Israel (prince of God, with God, in God)

   2. Name change #2 – Jabbok (pouring out, emptying) changed to Penuel (Face of God)

3. Results – What are the results?

   1. Jacob senses that this is a “man of God” and requests a blessing.

   2. Israel – has power with God

   3. Jacob had wrestled with God – AND WON! (prevailed)

4. Application – Have you ever “wrestled” with God?

   1. Jacob represents our own struggles. We have the nature of Jacob.

   2. We try to make it on our own. We wind up at Jabbok.

   3. How do we wrestle with God?

      1. Financial reversals

      2. Health problems

      3. Occupation, job

      4. Suffering – disappointment

      5. Faith – hope

      6. Life – purpose

      7. Eternity – heaven, resurrection

5. Conclusion:

   1. Are you tired of fighting God?

   2. Make today – the day you stop – bruised, tired, worn out

   3. Today – surrender to God.