Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

I. God’s grace cripples self-sufficient believers to bless them.

A.  Jacob was left alone. And that’s when things get weird in our story. Suddenly in vs. 24 we are introduced to a mystery wrestler who begins to grapple with Jacob. Who is this? At first Jacob thinks he is wrestling with a man (vs. 24). But then something happens in vs. 25 that gives Jacob his first clue as to who he is wrestling with. The mystery wrestler merely touches Jacob’s hip socket and – Bam! – Jacob’s hip was put out of joint. How powerful must this wrestler be! By vs. 26 Jacob says: “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

B.  Jacob knew that this wrestler could bless him. He strongly suspected the wrestler was God. Jacob had great faith that there was nothing greater than the blessing of God. God would show grace to Jacob in this wrestling match. Grace is something for nothing when we don’t deserve anything. Sometimes God’s grace cripples you to force you to look at Him, so that you will have to wrestle with Him. Jacob needed to learn the truth found in Zechariah 4:6: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

II. God’s grace gives victory to dependent believers.

A. Sometimes, God’s grace blocks our way. God blocks us from receiving a blessing because we are not yet ready for it. God had sent Jacob back to the Promised Land. But Jacob was not yet ready to enter the Land. He was still Jacob – a name that meant deceiver. Jacob needed to change before He could enter the Land. So, God changed Jacob and changed his name to Israel – a name which means Prevailer or Victor. Jacob won by losing. He won by depending on God. Hosea 12:4: He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor.

B. Not only do you get victory with God by depending on God and His blessing. You also get victory with men by depending on God (vs. 28). So, victory was coming for Jacob with Esau. If Jacob could win with God, why shouldn’t he win with Esau? We win the same way the Apostle Paul won. God said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Application:
God’s grace may cripple you, but God’s grace gives you victory as you depend on Him.

Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by Allen Ross, Dale Ralph Davis and Bruce Waltke.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1) Why did God have to cripple Jacob before He could bless Jacob? How did Jacob need to change before he could enter the Promised Land?
2) How did God humble himself in this wrestling match with Jacob? In what way did God extend grace to Jacob?
3) How did Jacob prevail in his wrestling with God? Can we be blessed if we refuse to depend on God?