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I Will Not Let You Go Unless You Bless Me

Text: Genesis 32
24 June 2018

THE INITIAL PRAYER OF JACOB

Genesis 32:9-12

1. Valid

2. But limited

a) There was a limited understanding of God
b) Jacob still remained very afraid of Esau
c) He still retained some of his old ways

JACOB’S PERSEVERANCE IN HIS SECOND PRAYER

“Then Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with Him until the breaking of day”   Genesis 32:24

1. A Man came to Jacob

a) The Man: The Angel of God
b) He represented God

2. Jacob wrestled with Him

a) The idea of an intense struggle is present with the word “wrestle”
i) Two parties locked in battle
ii) Not physical but in another dimension – the realm of the mind and spirit
b) What they would have most likely “wrestled” on:
i) Jacob’s fears
ii) His doubts
iii) His problem of self

3. Jacob persevered in prayer

a) He wrestled with the Man until daybreak
b) He did not give up!

WHAT JACOB PURSUED IN PRAYER

“I will not go unless you bless me!”   Genesis 32:26

1. Family

2. God’s blessing

a) Jacob did not take this for granted
b) He understood that it was the most important thing to seek after

JACOB’S PREVALENCE IN PRAYER

“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed”   Genesis 32:28

1. As Jacob persevered in prayer, he prevailed!

a) Not that he had victory over God
b) But he had victory in his prayer efforts

2. God’s blessing represented in a name change – “Israel”

a) Meaning “Prince with God”; it was how God saw Jacob
b) It marked how Jacob had “prevailed” in his prayer efforts
c) It was for Jacob to begin to live it out