Hosea 12:2
Jacob's journey to power with God was marked by deception, bargaining, and a deep personal relationship with God.
Chuck Smith explores the life of Jacob, an unlikely candidate for the title 'Power with God.' Despite his deceptive actions and attempts to gain advantage over others, Jacob ultimately finds himself in a desperate situation where he must rely on God. In a pivotal moment, he wrestles with a divine being and refuses to let go until he receives a blessing, demonstrating that true power with God comes through struggle and surrender. This encounter transforms Jacob, leading him to a deeper relationship with God and a new identity.
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Intro: Jacob was a twin, his brother came forth from the womb first, but
Jacob was close behind his hand holding his brother's heel. Hence
his name.
I. UNLIKELY CANDIDATE FOR TITLE "POWER WITH GOD"
A. He had taken advantage of his brother.
1. When Esau came in from the hunt weak and famished
seeking Jacob's pottage.
a. Jacob took advantage of him and demanded he
exchanged his birthright for the pottage.
2. He later disguised himself as his brother to receive
the family blessing from his aged blind father.
3. He ended up fleeing for his life from his brother who
was vowing to kill him.
B. He almost met his match with his uncle Laben.
1. He labored seven years as a dowry to marry Rachel,
Laben's daughter.
a. Laben kept the wedding feast going till after
dark and in the darkness switched daughters.
b. He then required another seven years labor for
the dowry for Rachel.
c. Laben had taken advantage of Jacob's great love
for Rachel.
2. His uncle then contracted with Jacob to continue to
watch his flocks giving him the speckled and spotted
of the flock for his wages.
a. Jacob had learned some things about husbandry
in the fourteen years so that his flock was
gradually becoming stronger and larger than
Laben's.
b. Laben tried 10 times to change the situation
but Jacob always came out ahead.
c. Till Jacob finally had to flee for his life
from his uncle.
C. Jacob sought to gain the advantage in every situation, willing
to deceive if necessary to gain.
1. He even sought to drive a bargain with God.
a. When fleeing from his brother, he came to
Bethel.
b. The Lord appeared to him in a dream, and
promised to give him the ground he was lying
on.
c. "If you will be with me and give me food and
clothes, and bring me home in peace, then you
will be my God and I will give you 10%."
2. This is not how or where he had power with God.
II. HOW DID HE HAVE POWER WITH GOD?
A. Jacob is returning home with family and flocks. So large had to
be divided into two bands.
1. When he arrived near the Jordan river he received word
that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men.
2. Jacob had no place to turn.
a. His uncle and cousins are angry with him.
b. Esau had vowed to kill him.
c. No where to flee.
d. So he prayed.
3. True to form after his prayer he began to scheme.
4. The night before his brothers arrival he set his family
across the brook of Jabob he returned back across the
brook to spend the night alone.
a. A man wrestled with him all night.
b. As the day began to break, Jacob was still
going strong so the man touched his thigh and
crippled him.
c. At this point Jacob began to hang on.
1. He then said to Jacob, "Let me go."
2. Jacob cried not until you bless me.
5. What was the blessing?
Sermon Outline
- Unlikely Candidate for Title 'Power with God' points: - Jacob's Deception - Took advantage of his brother Esau - Disguised himself as Esau to receive family blessing - Fled for his life from his brother
- Labored seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage points: - Jacob's Encounter with Uncle Laban - Contracted with Laban to watch his flocks - Learned husbandry and gained advantage
- Sought to drive a bargain with God points: - Jacob's Deception and Bargaining with God - Promised to give God 10% in exchange for God's help
- How Did He Have Power with God? points: - Jacob's Prayer and Scheming - Prayed for help when faced with Esau's army - Schemed to protect his family and flocks - Encountered a man who wrestled with him
Key Quotes
“If you will be with me and give me food and clothes, and bring me home in peace, then you will be my God and I will give you 10%.” — Chuck Smith
“Let me go, Jacob cried not until you bless me.” — Chuck Smith
“What was the blessing?” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- True power with God comes from a deep and personal relationship with Him, not from deception or bargaining.
- Prayer is a powerful tool for seeking God's help and guidance.
- Scheming and manipulation are not effective ways to achieve our goals and can lead to spiritual bankruptcy.