========================================================================
  HOSEA 12:2
  by Chuck Smith
========================================================================

Summary: Jacob's journey to power with God was marked by deception,
bargaining, and a deep personal relationship with God.

Topics: "Transformation", "Wrestling with God"
Scripture References: Genesis 25:26, Genesis 27:35, Genesis 28:20-22, Genesis 31:7, Genesis 32:1-2, Genesis 32:24-26, Genesis 32:28, Genesis 32:30, Genesis 33:4, Hosea 12:2

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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?

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/hosea-122/
========================================================================