Genesis 32 LMAP notes
VERSES 1-21
L = 1) Jacob *sees* the angels; he knows God is around him and protecting him.
2) He has a fear/problem/challenge
3) He decides to use flattering words (his own charisma) and gifts (his own possessions; notice though that his possessions *came to him*, ie ultimately credit still goes to God) and logic (his own intelligence) to overcome the challenge / fix the problem.
4) almost as a second thought, he throws up a quick prayer to the God of his ancestors (not necessarily *his* God; look back at Gen 28:20-22, he made a deal with God, but hadn't fully committed)
VERSES 22-32
L = Who is this 'man'? V28, v30 (as well as Hosea 12:2-6) all point to this man being God, ie the Angel of the Lord, ie Christ Jesus Himself. Notice Jesus won't give His Name yet, as it is not time.
"2 The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah;
he will punish Jacob [a] according to his ways
and repay him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother's heel;
as a man he struggled with God.
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!
6 But you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always. "
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-So Jesus comes to Jacob, and Jacob wrestles with Him. While on the surface it appears that Jacob is as powerful as Jesus, Jesus merely touches Jacob's hip and it instantly becomes handicapped. Jesus *would not* (rather than *could not*) overcome Jacob.
-The thigh and hip joint are key for 'wrestlers' and anyone who wants to move about in life; Jacob can no longer rely solely on himself; God has broken him.
-Jacob, in the end, recognizes God's Supremacy, and asks for a blessing. It's another step closer to his dependency on God.
-His old name of Jacob meant 'heel grabber'; his new name of Israel means 'rule with God'
M = We almost always think we can handle our situations on our own, with the occasional plea for help to God.
God approaches us, and we usually initially struggle with/challenge Him.
While God will not overpower us (i.e., take away our free will), He will remind us (sometimes severely) that He ultimately has all power.
God will 'break' us, and when we are at a place of complete brokenness, it is then that we can fully receive God's great blessings.
So those who acknowledge His Supremacy (and ask for His Blessing/Influence), they will be changed (given a new name, such as in Rev 2:12-17)
"12"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it."
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A = What do you lean on (of yourself) to overcome challenges?
How might God *break* you?
(for me, it was less contacts/friends and an emptiness about my job and fun; I had been using my job, my social life and my friends to 'fill me up' and God showed me it wasn't enough. I was still missing something. He took away those 'pillars' and left me alone, without anything to lean on. It was at that point that I finally saw that I needed Him. Even now, He keeps me from having external abundance so that I continue to recognize He is the Ultimate Resource, the Ultimate Abundance.)
Are you ready to submit fully to Him? What does that mean exactly?
(for me, it means *waiting on Him*, ie letting Him bring things to me (situations, resources, etc) and then using them appropriately to 1) glorify Him, 2) impact others and 3) strengthen myself.)
P = n/a
Created over 2 years ago
