This Bible study is all about wrestling with God and resolving unanswered questions.
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There are many times throughout our faith when we find ourselves wrestling with God. Sometimes it’s because we are wresting with understanding what He says in His word or what He has asked us to do. Sometimes we wrestle because we understand, but our human nature prevents us from wanting to follow God’s commands in faith.
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Read about Jacob’s response to wrestling with God, before reflecting on it below.
Genesis 31-33
Envy leads to wrestling with God and others
In Genesis 31, Jacob hears that his brothers-in-law are unhappy about his wealth, claiming that he stole from their father, Laban. Here, Jacob did not literally steal, but God blessed him and made him more prosperous than Laban, so his brothers-in-law were filled with envy. Because of their envy, the brothers were willing to not only lie, but also turn their father against Jacob.
Have you let envy come into your life and distort the truth? What was the result? Or is envy something that you are currently struggling with? Ask God to help you humble yourself before Him (James 3:16).
Related Post: Embrace the Journey | Bible Journaling Through Genesis
Wrestling with deception
God tells Jacob to go back to his home, but instead of leaving with Laban’s blessing, Jacob flees and deceives Laban by not telling him. The way in which Jacob left shows that he did not trust that God would make way and provide for the journey that He sent Jacob on, rather Jacob fell into fear and relied on human wisdom.
Are you currently relying on your own wisdom instead of listening to what God tells you to do (Proverbs 3:5-6)?
Praying God’s words
In Genesis 32:9-12, Jacob turns to God and prays, quoting God’s words back to him. Many times when we pray, we do not quote God’s word because we do not know it. Let us be a people who, like Jacob, are not perfect but are striving to be in the presence of God and align ourselves with what He says to be true. Jacob remembered God’s promises – promises of protection and deliverance. Jacob humbles himself, acknowledging that he is unworthy, but God is faithful. He offers thanksgiving for God’s unfailing mercies.
What did you learn from Jacob’s prayer? Do you pray with God’s word, and in humility acknowledge God’s goodness (Romans 10:17)?
Weeping and Wrestling with God
Jacob leaves his family, drawing away from all distractions, and it is here that a man wrestles with him through the whole night and into the next day. Finally, Jacob has no strength left so he just clings to the man. The man tells Jacob to let him go, and Jacob reptiles “not until you bless me.” Hosea 12:3-5 lets us know that Jacob was actually requesting this with weeping. He sought favor with the man. So God blessed him and changed his name to Israel.
The name Jacob means “deceiver” but the name Israel means “God rules.” Jacob’s past was one marked by sin, Israel’s future was marked by God’s redemption. How has God changed your identity (1 Peter 2:9)?
Wrestling with compromise
After encountering Esau, Jacob decides to settle in Sukkoth and built a place for himself. Although Jacob did not build a permanent home, he built booths, compromising on the covenant that his fathers had made to live as sojourners in tents.
How are you compromising in your faith and what God has called you to do (John 14:15)?
Reflect on your life and wrestling with God
What do you do when you find yourself wrestling with God? Do you respond in faith, clinging to His promises, or do you continue to struggle and fight against His will?
