PDF of all lessons should be available soon on our resources page, as well as out handout page (underlined words are blanks for class to fill out while following along).
IV. The "man" that Jacob wrestled (Genesis 32:22-33):
A. (Review the story of Jacob up to this point)
1. Prophecy concerning "younger" (Jacob)
and the "older" (Esau)
(25:23)
2. Esau gives up his birthright (25:29-34).
3. Jacob told by his mother (Rebekah) to
trick his father (Isaac) into blessing
him instead of Esau (27:1-35)
4. Jacob sent to his uncle Laban (28:1-10)
5. Jacob's vision in Bethel (28:11-19)
6. Jacob's vow to God (28:20-22)
7. Jacob marries his cousins Leah and
Rachel (29:18-30)
8. After 20 years, Jacob tries to go back to
his father's land where God
had promised to return him safely
(chapters 30-31)
a. God's promise before he went to work
for Laban (28:13-15)
b. God's promise when he leaves Laban
(31:3)
B. Jacob is shown a host of angels (32:1,2)
1. This is probably to reassure Jacob once
again that God is with him
2. See the story of Elijah's servant and the
revealing of the invisible army
(II Kings 6:16,17)
a. Angelic beings often association
with fire.
1) "A flame of fire" Psalm 104:4
(Hebrews 1:7 quotes this
psalm)
2) "flame of fire" out of the
burning bush (Exodus 3:2)
3) "Pillar of fire" (Exodus 13:21)
4) "Chariots of fire" (2 Kings
2:11)
5) God "Consumes" burnt
offerings (1 Kings 18:38, 2
Chronicles 7:1, etc.)
6) God Judges with fire (Genesis
19:24, 20:9, 2
Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Peter
3:7,12; Revelation 16:8,)
b. Angelic beings often seen
possessing the ability to smote
the enemy with blindness and
other plagues (As we saw in the
study of the "men" that visit Lot
in Sodom)
C. Jacob still fears his brother and take
precautions (32:3-23)
D. Jacob encounters the "man" (32:24)
E. Jacob wrestles the "man"
1. Prevailing (v.25)
2. Supernaturally prevented (v.25)
3. Seeks a blessing (v.26)
4. Name is changed to Israel (v.28)
F. Jacob calls the man "God."
1. Calls the place Peniel ("facing God")
2. Claims he saw God face to face
3. Claims his life was preserved
Conclusion:
Based on the evidence of this passage, compared to other scripture, this "man" whom Jacob wrestles is at least an angelic being sent as a messenger of the Lord. At best, He is a manifestation of God Himself (or the preincarnate Christ).
IV. The "man" that Jacob wrestled (Genesis 32:22-33):
A. (Review the story of Jacob up to this point)
1. Prophecy concerning "younger" (Jacob)
and the "older" (Esau)
(25:23)
2. Esau gives up his birthright (25:29-34).
3. Jacob told by his mother (Rebekah) to
trick his father (Isaac) into blessing
him instead of Esau (27:1-35)
4. Jacob sent to his uncle Laban (28:1-10)
5. Jacob's vision in Bethel (28:11-19)
6. Jacob's vow to God (28:20-22)
7. Jacob marries his cousins Leah and
Rachel (29:18-30)
8. After 20 years, Jacob tries to go back to
his father's land where God
had promised to return him safely
(chapters 30-31)
a. God's promise before he went to work
for Laban (28:13-15)
b. God's promise when he leaves Laban
(31:3)
B. Jacob is shown a host of angels (32:1,2)
1. This is probably to reassure Jacob once
again that God is with him
2. See the story of Elijah's servant and the
revealing of the invisible army
(II Kings 6:16,17)
a. Angelic beings often association
with fire.
1) "A flame of fire" Psalm 104:4
(Hebrews 1:7 quotes this
psalm)
2) "flame of fire" out of the
burning bush (Exodus 3:2)
3) "Pillar of fire" (Exodus 13:21)
4) "Chariots of fire" (2 Kings
2:11)
5) God "Consumes" burnt
offerings (1 Kings 18:38, 2
Chronicles 7:1, etc.)
6) God Judges with fire (Genesis
19:24, 20:9, 2
Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Peter
3:7,12; Revelation 16:8,)
b. Angelic beings often seen
possessing the ability to smote
the enemy with blindness and
other plagues (As we saw in the
study of the "men" that visit Lot
in Sodom)
C. Jacob still fears his brother and take
precautions (32:3-23)
D. Jacob encounters the "man" (32:24)
E. Jacob wrestles the "man"
1. Prevailing (v.25)
2. Supernaturally prevented (v.25)
3. Seeks a blessing (v.26)
4. Name is changed to Israel (v.28)
F. Jacob calls the man "God."
1. Calls the place Peniel ("facing God")
2. Claims he saw God face to face
3. Claims his life was preserved
Conclusion:
Based on the evidence of this passage, compared to other scripture, this "man" whom Jacob wrestles is at least an angelic being sent as a messenger of the Lord. At best, He is a manifestation of God Himself (or the preincarnate Christ).
