1. The River Crossings
  1. Jacob crosses Jabbok Genesis 32: 22
    1. There is spiritual significance to crossing water
  2. Red Sea
    1. Ridding ourselves of sin and its dominion over us.
    2. Not enough to just rid ourselves of sin because these people never entered into the promise that was before them.
      1. Stuck in fear, depression and confusion
  3. Jordan is place of promise.
    1. Must be entered in faith. Hebrews 3: 19 – 4: 9
    2. Many are struggling with lust and addictions
    3. Not talking about never sinning again, but freedom from he dominion of these problems over our lives.
  4. Jabbok is the third river
    1. Jabbok means to empty or pour out.
    2. Here is a place where we must enter alone

2. The Wrestling Match

  1. Jacob had a vision of heaven when he left the promised land
    1. Angels were ascending and descending the ladder up to heaven Genesis 28: 2
      1. The ladder is Jesus John 1: 51
  2. Now Jacob is returning to the promised land and has another encounter with an angelic being
    1. Notice the angels did not notice Jacob when he left, but now there is an encounter
  3. The word man could also mean Husband
    1. Jeremiah 3: 14 Return, O backsliding children, says the LORD for I AM married to you and I shall take you, one from a city and two from a family and I shall bring you to Zion
  4. This angel is the Messiah in a pre New Testament form
    1. Form of an angel rather than Jesus of the New Testament.
    2. If Jesus could take on human form on his own, then we lose something of the miraculous birth.
    3. IF GOD IS GOING TO INTERACT WITH MAN HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT IN A FINITE STATE.
  5. In a way we could say he was fully God fully angel here or the Word became angel and dwelt among us.

3. The Appeasement.

  1. Jacob is a different man than when he left the promised land
    1. I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. Genesis 32: 10
    2. He is obeying God’s voice Vs 9
  2. He is still into appeasement to try and make things go well with himself.
    1. I will send gifts ahead to appease Esau Vs 20, 21
  3. We do this in our battle of sin.
    1. If you will only give me victory, I will never do it again.
    2. We are still shocked that we fail in our power to serve God.

4. The victory of Jabbok

  1. Religion gives way to spirituality
    1. When Jacob saw the ladder he proclaimed How awesome is this place Vs 16, 17
    2. he cried out bless me and make me prosperous and I will serve you 1/10 of all I have Genesis 28: 20 – 22
    3. Bethel became a place of material blessing.
    4. We can see great visions and revelations, but the flesh is still in control.
  2. Total Surrender
    1. he had escaped everything that was before him throughout his entire life.
      1. Esau trying to kill him
      2. Laban’s betrayal
      3. Laban’s trying to kill him
      4. Wives fighting around him
    2. Now he was at the end of his rope.  Esau is coming at him with 400 men
    3. The Angel looked down at him and asked him his name.  Vs 27, 28
      1. Jacob means heal grabber.
      2. Must admit that there are hidden things in our lives that we have to confess.
      3. I am not standing over others, I am also guilty of sin in my own life.
  3. Character change
    1. Your name will now be Israel Prevailing with God and Follow Close After.
    2. Prevail means to gain an upper hand.
    3. True commitment and surrender over the flesh.
    4. The Angel touched the thigh of Israel
      1. Our strength in what we are putting our hope in is weakened.
      2. It is here that victory is gained.

4. Place of an open heaven

  1. God reveals himself to those who are pure before Him
    1. Nathaniel was given a name that the other disciples weren’t. John 1: 47 – 51
  2. Piniel = the face of God
    1. I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved 32: 30, 31
  3. Jacob could of had this open heaven 20 years ago, but he went with his own flesh and self preservation
  4. What I am talking about is already ours, but we don’t enter into it because of unbelief and self promotion.
  5. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own
    1. The word becomes alive and we see Jesus in it as we walk in obedience.
    2. Judgement begins in the house of the Lord Hebrews 10: 26 – 31
    3. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7: 1
    4. We don’t need an alright wrestling match, we can enter into this if we would purify ourselves before God.