Study From the Book of Genesis,32

Study From the Book of Genesis,32

As I studied chapter 32 of the Book of Genesis, I chose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

In a magnificent way, the angels of God appeared to Jacob reassuring him that he was not travelling alone as the God’s armies were encamped around his family camps. Jacob  sent messengers to Esau with a report of his life over 20 years and with a request for his favour. However, he was told that Esau was coming with 400 men for revenge.

Jacob was afraid in Hebrew term he was frightened and terrified. He divided his family into two groups in order to save one from the rage of his brother. Jacob prayed to God that he might be delivered from Esau. By mentioning both his fathers Isaac and Abraham, Jacob appealed to the God who had spoken to his fathers. Jacob reminded the Lord of His promises to him and expressed his humanity before God’s mercy Christians today can like wise based their prayers on God’s proven character and His promises in the Bible.

Jacob prayed in faith; now he acted in faith. He gave Esau an overabundance of gifts. By giving the gifts in three different times, Jacob hoped to appease Esau gradually. Jacob had been struggling all his life; even at the moment of his birth he was struggling with Esau. Later he struggled with Laban. Yet before meeting Esau, Jacob had the struggle of his life!

Jacon who had once grasped his brother’s heel now clung to the bodily form of the living God. Some believe the Man who wrestled Jacob was the preincarnate Jesus Christ. Others believe the Man was the Angel of God. In any case, Jacob wrestled with a manifestation of God and because of God’s mercy Jacob survived.

The Man could not turn Jacob away from the struggle-even though He could easily defeated Jacob. The Hebrew verb touched refers to God’s special touch. Here God’s touch caused pain. Yet Jacob would not give up. He would not release the Man until he received a blessing.

God gave Jacob sure promises that were given to Abraham, and now-following a night-long struggle with him-God gave him a new name. The name Israel means “The Prince with God.” Jacon asked for the Man’s name. The Man did not answer. But Jacob might have developed his own name for the Man who had wrestled with him, The Mighty God of Jacob. God would one day reveal His name fully to Moses. Jacob’s experience with God physically changed him-he limped. The experience also had a spiritual impact on his life. The Jewish rule against eating the muscle that shrank, around the hip, continues into modern times within Judaism.

Structure

Verses: 1-21: Esau comes to meet Jacob.

Verses 22-32: wrestling with God.

Principle 55: verse 32:9:  ---“Then Jacob said,’ O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me…’”

Lesson 55: Jacob had learned to pray effectively by basing his petitions on the promises of God. He knew he could win this battle only through prayer.

Principle 56:  verse 32-31: ----” Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.”

Lesson 56: Jacob wrestling match left him with painful limp, but also with better understanding of God. God renamed him “Israel” meaning he” Struggle with God” beside the usual meaning the “

Prince with God.” And because of his painful encounter Jacob took a great spiritual leap forward.19/4/2026.