By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read: Genesis 32: 1-32

Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. (Genesis 32:1)

By Rev. Ron Purkey

Esau was coming and Jacob was about to meet up with his forgotten past. Would Esau forgive him or fight him? Would Jacob lose everything he had schemed to acquire? How tragic it is when the past catches up with sinners. Geography could not erase Jacob’s past nor could 20 years of history change it. But before Jacob met Esau, he experienced three other meetings:

First, Jacob met God’s angels (Genesis 32:1-20). He had first seen these angels at Bethel (Genesis 28), and they should have been a reminder to Jacob that God was in control. He named the place “the two camps” (his own camp and the camp or army of angels), but he failed to put his faith in God who had promised years before to protect him. Believers today may claim Hebrews 1:14 and Psalm. 91:11-13 as they are walking in the will of God. Sadly, Jacob started trusting himself and his own schemes again. He tried to appease Esau with gifts. He divided his company into two bands (Genesis 32:7) and ignored the protecting army of angels. Then, after taking these steps in carnal confidence, he asked for God’s help. Had he forgotten the way God had protected him from Laban? (Genesis 31:24).

Second, Jacob met the Lord (Genesis 32:21-26). It is when we get alone with God that good things begin to happen. Christ came to wrestle with Jacob, and the struggle lasted all night. Keep in mind that Jacob was not wrestling to get a blessing from God; rather, he was defending himself and refusing to yield. The Lord wanted to break Jacob and bring him to the place where he would honestly say, “Not I, but Christ” (Galatians 2:20). All night, Jacob defended himself and refused to surrender or even admit that he had sinned. Then God weakened Jacob, and the wrestler could only cling. Now instead of scheming for a blessing or bargaining for a blessing, he asked God for the blessing — and he received it.

Third, Jacob met himself (Genesis 32:27-32). “What is your name?” (Verse 27) was the question that forced Jacob to confess his true self — “Jacob, the schemer.” Once he faced himself and confessed his sin, Jacob could be changed. God gave him a new name — “Israel, prince with God” or “a God-governed man.” The way to have power with God is to be broken by God. God also gave him a new beginning and a new power as he began “walking in the Holy Spirit” and not in the flesh. This was illustrated by a new walk, for now Jacob limped. He had been broken by God, but his limp was a mark of power and not weakness. Verse 31 indicates the dawning of a new day, as the sun rose and Jacob limped out to meet his brother Esau — with God’s help.

Read Ron Purkey’s free Bible study outlines at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.