Jacob's victory - Genesis 32:24-32

Jacob's victory - Genesis 32:24-32

There are many mountains to overcome in life. Maybe life is a series of hardships, a series of tensions. Jacob also lived in Paddan-a- ram for 20 years and was deceived several times and had to endure the pain. At that time, God had compassion on Jacob and blessed him, allowing him to accumulate a lot of wealth.

 

Avoiding his master Laban, who thought this was strange, Jacob also served night, but he was pursued for 7 days and the road was blocked. But God appears to Laban in a dream and protects Jacob. As Jacob continues on his way, he meets the Jabbok River. But now his older brother Esau, who has become an enemy, comes up with 400 men. Very frightened, Jacob left all his family across the river and was left alone that night.

 

Then an angel appears and wrestles with Jacob. After persistently blocking the way of the angel and asking for blessings, Jacob broke his hip bone from the angel and got the name Israel, meaning 'You have overcome God.' This name adds to its power as the name of the nation and the name of the country. We also have a name God has given us, and that is Jesus Christ. Those who have the name of Jesus will be victorious even when they face the river of anxiety, loneliness, and fear like Jacob. May Jacob's victory be yours soon.

 

1. Jacob wrestled with God and won

It is absurd that Jacob overcame God. It was simply that God raised Jacob's hand saying, 'You have won.' Just like no parent wins over a child. Because God loved Jacob, he lost it. Overcoming God means asking God and receiving an answer from God. God answers our prayers.

 

But no prayer is perfect. There is no qualified prayer. Our prayers are not answered because we have power, but because God loves us, He answers them and adds to the things we did not ask for. Please trust God. Because God is greater than any suffering you will face.

 

When he holds on to God, victory comes and true blessings come. It is prayer that holds on to that God. I hope you will win the good fight of prayer.

 

2. Jacob victorious with himself

Jacob was meticulous in his calculations and did not forsake human means and methods. Even when he crossed the river, he stood first with the herds and his servants, then his wife and children, and then at the rear, from which he could escape at any time. So Jacob's weapon is his running legs. The angel breaks the bones of Jacob's Hwando and makes his legs limp. If we believe in our abilities and live, we are not at peace like Jacob, who was always anxious about escaping.

 

Jacob, who experienced God through an angel, changes his name. The name implies its existence and properties. If Jacob, who has lived by holding onto the heels of others by his own schemes, has experienced God, his existence changes to Israel. Jacob, who was crippled, became a man who depended on God for the rest of his life. This was the beginning of Israel's history. He does not depend on anything else, but he believes only in the Triune God and wants to live in pure faith. I hope you will win the battle with me and hold on to God.

 

3. Jacob wrestled with the enemy and won

Jacob was very afraid to meet Esau. However, Jacob, who experienced God through an angel, changes. There is the work of the Holy Spirit in the worship of meeting God. So, if we worship well, our sick hearts will be filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

 

Jacob, who changed his mind, repents of his mistake and bows his head seven times first. After saying hello, Esau's face looked like the face of God. And Esau is no longer Jacob's enemy, but instead becomes Jacob's guide and leads him. In the eyes of peace, there are no enemies. So the way to overcome the devil who tries to separate us is the power of love.

 

As we could not bear this fruit, He sent the Holy Spirit. If we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and walk humbly in prayer, God makes peace with our enemies and grants us the blessing of overcoming evil with good. This is Jacob's victory and Jacob's blessing.

 

Question

1. If you have an experience of praying desperately to God and receiving an answer, let's share it.

2. If there is anything that hinders us from serving only God, we share in faith and intercede.

3. If you have overcome evil by good means, talk about it and pray for the weak.