Genesis 32
My God Will Hurt You to Help You

V.1 “angels of God met him” (Gen. 16:7, Gen. 21, Gen. 22, Gen. 31)

Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Scared for his life!!

Gen 27:45 When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I'll send word for you to come back from there.

V. 2 “Mahanaim”- two camps

Does God dwell at all our camps?

V. 3-5 An attempt to appease

V.6 “Uh oh”

V.7-8 Scheme #2

Lacked faith in God’s promise

Gen 31:3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."

V.9 “Then Jacob prayed”

1. Acknowledged God's faithfulness- V.9

2. Prays in accordance with God’s word

Gen 28:14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

3. Confesses (V.10)

Isa 59: Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Ps 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

4. Thankfulness (V.10b)

5. Supplication (V.11)



You need to be saved?

Luke 12:4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.

What does he do?

V. 13-21 Another appeasement

God needs to break him


V.22-24a “So Jacob was left alone”

The real enemy was himself

V.24b “a man”- Pre-incarnate Christ

V.25 God purposely crippled Jacob.

V.26 I won’t let you go until you bless me”

Hos 12:4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there- 5 the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name of renown!

V.27 “what’s your name”- Who are you?

V.28 God changes him

Jacob won when he surrendered

V.29 Blessed

V.30-32 Theological learning

Just walk and obey