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Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Hosea 12:2-4

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← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
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 Jabbok 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 Notes for Hosea 10:12 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Hosea 12:2-5 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Daniel 1:8 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Joel 2:12 Next Book →
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