Rev. David Holwick B
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
January 10, 1993
Genesis 32:24-31
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I. Where have all our heroes gone?
A. Modern society wants them, but doubts them.
David Heller recalls a letter a young person wrote to God:
God,
My heroes are You, Martin Luther King, Chris Columbus, and
Ghost Busters. You are my second favorite. Honest.
Melanie, age 7 #2145
1) Build someone up, then destroy them.
2) Greatest heroes are machines (Terminator).
B. OT full of (, properly understood. (Genre)
1) Hero begins as someone who experiences conflict.
2) He acts (in a good way) in response to these conflicts.
3) His actions reveal much about God's character and values.
a) Obedience to God gives all life an adequate basis.
C. Like our day, characters of Bible were often flawed.
1) They are not plastic saints, but real people.
2) God's values are often hidden until the end.
3) One of the best examples is JACOB, the Scoundrel.
II. Circular, three-part movement of Jacob's life.
A. Early life > interlude in Haran > return to home (and God).
B. Each movement is marked by an encounter with God and conflict.
C. Step by step, Jacob grows in his relationship with God.
III. Jacob's early life in parent's home. Gen 25-28
A. Divine encounter: Prophetic oracle to Rebekah. 25:23
B. Conflict: Family discord.
1) Got name from grabbing brother's heel at birth. 25:26
2) Grasps birthright from oldest son Esau. 25:29-34
a) Esau more to blame, for he treats it lightly. Heb 12:16
b) Esau lives only for the moment (appetite) and has
no concern for spiritual realities.
3) Steals blessing by deception of sheep skin. 27:12-30
a) Father's blessing had real value in ancient times.
b) Dramatic irony - we know more than characters in story.
c) Esau plans to murder his brother. 27:41
IV. Twenty year exile in Haran. (Initiation motif) Gen 29-31
A. Divine encounter: Vision at Bethel. 28:11-17
1) Ladder symbolizes communication and spiritual rapport
with God.
a) Deeper meaning - God is shown to be a loving, covenant God.
b) The mystery and the closeness of God is captured.
2) Jacob's response shows his spiritual sensitivity.
a) He builds an altar to reflect his sense of sanctify of
moment of God's encounter. 28:18
b) He vows to tithe to show he accepts his covenant
responsibilities. 28:22
B. Conflict: Struggles with Laban. Gen 29-31
1) Substitute bride (Leah) is example of poetic justice. 29:25
2) Scheme of striped branches for goats shows Jacob's character
is still warped. 30:37
a) Angel in dream rebukes his scheme by giving God credit.
b) At same time, God's is favorable toward Jacob and
has prospered him. 31:12
3) Interlude ends with Jacob once again fleeing a relative
he has antagonized.
V. Return to land of his birth. Gen 32-33
A. Divine encounter: Wrestling with God at Jabbok brook. 32:22-32
1) Dramatic - nighttime setting of danger and urgency.
2) Jacob is reduced to essential humanity, being left "all
alone." 32:24
3) "What is your name?" 32:27
a) Request is made because mysterious wrestler is God.
b) Jacob's new name, Israel, means "he who strives with
God" and signifies a new relationship with God.
c) The stranger's name is never given, but "Peniel" shows
Jacob knew it was God he struggled with.
4) The rising of the sun (32:31) is a fitting symbol for a new
era in Jabob's spiritual life, and the limp (32:25) is a
permanent reminder of the significance of the event.
B. Conflict: Encounter with Esau, and with God.
1) Suspenseful climax because Esau's response is in doubt.
a) Jacob's division into two groups shows his fear.
2) Jacob's character finally grows.
a) He humbles himself in prayer before God's goodness.
b) Instead of grasping, he depends on God. 32:9-10
c) His claim upon God's protection is based on
God's promise, not Jacob's schemes. 32:12
C. Climax of reconcilation.
1) Jacob schemes, as usual. (gifts)
2) But Esau runs to him and embraces him. 33:4
VI. Our schemes or God's promises?
A. Many people strive in life.
1) Aggressiveness is good, but self-centered striving never
fulfills.
2) Striving to know God is also useless - we will not know
God until He reveals Himself.
B. Conflicts always come, but they can be occasions for growth.
1) The family squabbles of Genesis are all too familiar to us.
2) Conflict should make us assess our goals and values.
3) Sometimes they push us to a spot where we must grow or
be defeated.
C. God is a revealing God.
1) God's heart is not for religious people, but sinners.
a) He reached out to sinners like Jacob.
b) His desire is for the whole world to accept Him.
2) He reveals Himself to those who seek him, and those who don't.
a) Therefore don't think a religious experience means
you are O.K. (Near-Death experiences)
b) God may be wanting to reach you before it's too late.
c) God wants us to learn simple trust in Him.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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