Genesis 32 26 28 sermon audio3/30/2024 ![]() With Jacob out of the picture, everything that belonged to Isaac would go to Esau and it would make sense for Esau to not want to part with it. Jacob rightfully fears that his brother might interpret his return as a threat, thinking that Jacob is coming to claim his birthright, his inheritance. One people shall be stronger than the other, Two peoples shall be separated from your body Jacob refers to himself as Esau’s servant, and this might be due to the prophecy found in Genesis 25:23 (blog post here), where God says to Rebekah I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ” And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. ![]() p536) When Jacob makes his appeal to God later on it will be based on God’s promises made at Bethel. Angels of God meeting Jacob remind us of Bethel (Genesis 28:13-15, discussed in detail in my post Gate of Heaven) where God promised Jacob to be with him.īehold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”Īn interesting connection between Bethel (Genesis 28, my post) and Mahanaim/Peniel (Genesis 32) is that at Bethel we have God making promises to Jacob and at Mahanaim/Peniel we have the fulfillment of those promises. ![]() However, just because this passage presents us with some challenges it does not mean that we are unable to draw lessons from it. Perhaps God was protecting Jacob by going before and behind him, or perhaps this is a reference to when Jacob divides his company into two (verse 7). As a result of meeting the angels, Jacob names the place “Mahanaim” which literally means “two camps” or “double camp.” There are several possible interpretations for this as well. The text does not supply us with any specific details beyond the fact that the angels of God met Jacob as he traveled. Some believe Jacob had a vision or a dream, while others argue that he saw the beings as he traveled. It is unclear how the angels manifested themselves. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim. So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. Genesis 32 begins with a challenging couple of verses. With that said, this passage contains an incredible wealth of practical lessons on how to approach God and wrestle with Him during our greatest moments of need, and I believe it is well worth our time and careful study. ![]() I’ll be completely honest and transparent with you, there are mysteries in this passage that I do not completely understand. ![]()
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