April 14, 2024 - Genesis 32:22-32
April 14, 2024
Genesis 32:22-32
Lessons Learned
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. Jacob’s age at various events in his life.
Isaac was 60 years old when Esau and Jacob were born. Gen 25:26
Isaac was 100 when Esau and Jacob were 40, Esau took 2 Hittite women for wives at this time. Gen 26:34
Isaac was 137 when Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. Esau and Jacob were 137-60=77. (Tradition uses this age for Isaac because Ishmael died at 137. Gen 25:17)
Jacob served Laban for 7 years for Rachel but was given Leah. Jacob was 84. Gen 29:18
Jacob served Laban for an additional 7 years for Rachel. Jacob was 84. Gen 29:27
Jacob is 77+7+7=91 when Joseph is born. Gen 30:25
Jacob served Laban for 6 more years for his flocks.
Jacob is 77+7+7+6= 97 when he returned to Canaan. Gen 31:41
Isaac died when he was 180 years old. Gen 35:28
Jacob was 180-60= 120 years old when Isaac died.
Jacob died at the age of 147. Gen 47:28
2. It was when Jacob was in great fear and distress that he called upon God in prayer.
3. In Jacob’s first recorded prayer he:
Called on the covenant God of his family (fathers).
Called on the God who said to me (personal) …
Confessed he was unworthy of the kindness and faithfulness God had shown him.
Petitioned God for deliverance as he expressed his fear to God.
Recalled God’s promise to prosper him.
Recalled God’s promise to multiply his descendants.
4. Jacob’s peace offering to Esau totaled 580 animals. It makes you wonder how large his flocks and herds were.
5. You must make yourself right with your fellow man if you want to be right with God. Matthew 5:23-24
6. Jacob’s prayer was followed by a struggle with God.
7. Jacob realized God’s grace toward him because he was still alive after wrestling with God.
8. Twenty years ago, Jacob deceived his father in order to receive a blessing. Here Jacob clung to ‘the man’ and asked for a blessing.
9. There are three spiritual landmarks in Jacob’s life:
Bethel- Jacob experienced God’s divine presence. Genesis 28:10-17
Mahanaim- Jacob experienced God’s divine power. Genesis 32:1-2
Peniel- Jacob experienced God’s divine favor (grace). Genesis 32:24-32
10. Peniel, also known as Penuel, means ‘face of God.’
11. Israel has various translations, ‘God rules,’ ‘One who strives with God,’ and ‘A prince of God.’
12. “In the Bible, people’s names indicated character, personality, or destiny of an individual or were related to details of his or her birth.” Merril F. Unger “Ungers’ Bible Dictionary”
13. “Name changes God initiated reveal a turning point in personal destiny and a promise of divine power for service and calling.” anonymous
14. Jacob is the third person given a new name by God in Genesis.
15. This is the first mention of the name ‘Israel’ in the Bible.
16. “The name Jacob referred to the physical lineage of Abraham and Isaac while Israel referred to the spiritual promise of God’s covenant that was the product of faith and obedience.” F.F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, “The First Book of Moses”
17. All of Jacob’s meaningful encounters with God were in the land promised to his descendants.
18. “There on the north side of the Jabbok, Jacob wrestled with a “man.” Though not clear in the English translations, the Hebrew text repeatedly used in this story the consonants y, b, and q. These three consonants form a play on words between Jacob, Jabbok, and the Hebrew word for “wrestle.” The wordplay may signal that only through wrestling could Jacob become someone different.” Victor P. Hamilton, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament
19. Application:
Past offenses against others need to be reconciled. (See #5 above).
Everyone’s encounter with God is unique.
Your life is transformed when you yield to God’s claim on your life.