Jacob Wrestles With God (The Long Way Home Part Two; Genesis 32)
Because of grace-infused repentance, Jacob had to reconcile with his brother, Esau, before he settled back into the Promised Land. Yet, before the brothers meet, Jacob meets and wrestles with God. Was it a mere physical wrestling match or something deeper? In this podcast, Dr. Sadaphal will exposit Genesis 32 and explain there are two ways to look at Jacob’s encounter with God. One is Jacob-focused in which we champion Jacob for what he did and the power of his faith: that he prevailed over God and secured a blessing. The other way is God-focused where clearly Jacob was no match for the Lord. Thus, the only reason Jacob prevailed is because God allowed him to. Hence, the real champion is God who revealed Himself to a creature face-to-face; He could of obliterated Jacob with a thought but instead emptied Himself in order to lovingly teach His servant. God’s strength is made perfect in Jacob’s weakness. Ultimately, Christ is the true Israel.