(Genesis) Genesis 32:20-23
Jacob's fear and doubts are revealed as he prepares to meet Esau, highlighting the consequences of his past actions.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob crossing the brook Jabbok. Jacob is filled with fear and doubt as he prepares to meet his brother Esau, whom he had mistreated in the past. Jacob sends his family and possessions across the brook, hoping to appease Esau and protect his loved ones. He stays behind, alone and anxious about the outcome. The preacher emphasizes the desolate and rugged nature of the area, highlighting the significance of Jacob's vulnerable state.
Full Transcript
And now we find verse 20, "...and say ye moreover, Behold thy servant Jacob is behind us, for he said, I'll appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I'll see his face. Peradventure he will accept me. So went the present over before him, and himself lodged that night in the company.
And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two women servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the four Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had." Now, this is the night. This is the great experience in his life that came to him.
Now, you'll notice that he came to this very desolate place, the brook Jabbok, at the crossing. I've been there, and I got away from the group purposely, and I took a walk across the bridge that's there now. The United States has built a very lovely road through that area.
Did it for the Heshamite kingdom of Jordan. And it takes you into that area to see, well, several things you wouldn't be able to see if it didn't have a good road, because that's quite a wilderness through there. And I took pictures of sheep that were drinking down at the brook Jabbok.
It's a crossing there, but a very bleak place. It's right down between two, we'd call them, hills. They're not really mountains, but it's a very mountainous country.
It's a very rugged country. And here is where this man came that night. He's not a happy man, and he's filled with fear and doubts.
You see, chickens are coming home to roost. He'd mistreated Esau, and God never told him to get it that way. God would have gotten it for him.
And so that night he sent across the brook Jabbok all that he had, but he stayed on the other side, because even if his brother came, it might be he'd spare the family and just maybe kill Jacob. So Jacob's left alone.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction to Genesis 32:20-23
- Jacob's preparations for meeting Esau
- Jacob's fear and doubts
- The significance of the brook Jabbok
Key Quotes
“You see, chickens are coming home to roost. He'd mistreated Esau, and God never told him to get it that way.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We must acknowledge and deal with the consequences of our past actions.
- Fear and doubts can be a result of our own sin and mistakes.
- God's sovereignty is evident in all aspects of our lives, including the consequences of our actions.