Genesis 32

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Genesis 32 follows Jacob's journey to confront his brother, Esau. We see in the chapters before this that Jacob had been hiding at Laban's and collecting gifts to give to Esau. Last he heard Esau was planning to kill him, so Jacob was scared of what awaited him. 

Jacob speaks of two promises the Lord had given him. In verse 9 it says 

Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper'

Then verse 12 reads: 

But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and I will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.' 

God made a promise to Jacob much like the one He made to Abraham. 

Still not convinced God is going to protect him, Jacob decides to try and trick Esau. He sends two groups ahead with hundreds of livestock and servants in hopes that these gifts can please Esau before they meet. 

During the night before their confrontation, an unnamed man begins to wrestle with Jacob. It is revealed this man is actually God himself, and Jacob begins to beg for God's blessing. This is an important moment as Jacob stole his father's blessing back in chapter 27. Now he was seeking a true one from the Lord. 

God blesses Jacob and changes his name to Israel- which means, "He struggles with God". This story sets the tone for God's chosen people, the nation of Israel. You will see that Israel comes to live up to that name as its people experience exile and wrestle with God themselves. 

As you're reading this morning, be encouraged in this: if Jacob can be forgiven for his actions and still blessed so greatly by God, so too are you worthy of the goodness and blessings God has for you!