International Sunday school lesson 11/18/2022 Fall #3

Gen 32:22-32 (ESV) The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.

Gen 32:22-32 (ESV)

Notes

Background

• Jacob had cheated Esau
• Jacob was returning from Laban after many years
• Jacob had sent a gift ahead to Esau
• Jacob and then sent his children and wives on ahead
• Jacob was all alone

Jacob Alone — Gen 32:22-23

“… over the brook, and sent over that he had—himself remaining on the north side (Delitzsch, Keil, Kurtz, Murphy, Gerlach, Wordsworth, Alford), although, having once crossed the stream (Gen 32:22), it is not perfectly apparent that he recrossed, which has led some to argue that the wrestling occurred on the south of the river (Knobel, Rosenmόller, Lange, Kalisch).”

Pulpit Commentary

Jacob Wrestles — Gen 32:24-25

• We must pray through
• Rom 15:30 (ESV)I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,

I Will Not Let Go — Gen 32:26

• Hos 12:3-4 (ESV)In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God. 4He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with us—

A Name Change — Gen 32:27-28

And he said unto him, what is thy name?…. “Which question is put, not as being ignorant of it, but in order to take occasion from it, and the change of it, to show that he had granted his request, and had blessed him, and would yet more and more:”

john Gill

Peniel — Gen 32:29-30

• Isa 9:6 (ESV)For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• Jdg 13:17-18 (ESV)And Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” 18And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?”

Israel’s Limp — Gen 32:31-32

Jam halted upon his thigh — As Paul had a thorn in the flesh given to humble him, lest he should be too elevated by the abundant revelations granted him [2Co 12:7], so Jacob’s lameness was to keep him mindful of this mysterious scene

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

Conclusion

Lay hold of the alter and do not let go until the blessings come!