Genesis 32 22-32, Jacob Wrestles With God - 1756 Words

The passage I chose for this FOCUS bible study is Genesis 32:22–32, Jacob Wrestles With God. Being that it is a relatively popular story, I’ve heard it many times before and have always found it very intriguing. From the first time I read it I had an overwhelming sense that what went on there was monumental in several different ways. I used the New International Version while studying this particular excerpt from scripture and the significance and importance placed on this one incident is enough to make me think there’s more to it than first meets the eye. Step One: Find What’s There The story told in Genesis 32:22–32 is an important turning point in the life of Jacob, coming right before he faces his brother, Esau, for the first time in many years. He experiences what it is like to wrestle with God and fully surrender his life to Him. He goes through this change, not only in name but also in character. The purpose of this account then, is to document Jacob’s unique encounter with the Lord and what comes from it. While reading the passage, I took note of both my observations and the numerous questions I had of the text (attached at the end of this paper), which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and led to several interesting revelations. I noticed first that Jacob sends everyone on ahead of him. He needed some time alone to pray and to prepare himself for seeing his brother again. But God also needed Jacob alone so that He had Jacob’s full attention. If he wasShow MoreRelatedGods Devine Interaction with Jacob Essay941 Words   |  4 PagesAs God molds and guides Jacob over the course of the Jacob Cycle, God interacts with Jacob in increasingly personal ways. I) INTRO Throughout the Book of Genesis, there are cycles of protagonists with whom God interacts. In one such cycle, the Jacob cycle, God interacts with the world in a very unique way. Instead of directly influencing an outcome, He works by using people as conduits. He utilizes people to progress toward the ultimate goal of achieving His Divine Plan. During the Jacob Cycle, GodRead MoreEssay God Works Through Jacob to Help Achieve His Divine Plan1005 Words   |  5 PagesGod interacts with the world in a very unique way. He works by using people as conduits with whom He will ultimately achieve His goal of the Divine Plan. Throughout the Book of Genesis, many cycles of protagonists appear with whom God chooses to interact. In one such cycle, the Jacob Cycle, God influences, molds, and guides Jacob in increasingly personal ways. God influences Jacob throughout his childhood, his journey to Haran, his journey from Haran, and finally, with one last test of will. ThroughoutRead More The Pursuit of Happiness and the Union of Aristotle and Genesis2829 Words   |  12 PagesThe Pursuit of Happiness and the Union of Aristotle and Genesis Two major schools of thought broadly influenced the development of the moral code of Western Civilization. The Judeo-Christian tradition gave us faith and God through the text of the Bible. The ancient Greeks gave us philosophical inquiry and the Good through the teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. In his Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle proposes that the Good is the highest end of man’s actions. Happiness is theRead MoreAbrahamic Covenant Chart3186 Words   |  13 Pagesfound in Genesis. It is a simple tabular formatted chart. The material is done in a logical chapter:verse order starting with Genesis 12 and completing in Genesis 50. It was attempted to show all the verses that either outright mentioned a covenant or at least implied a covenant. ABRAHAMIC COVENANT Reference:All are taken from NIV translation | Addressed To: | Circumstance Under Which it was Reiterated: | â€Å"Ingredients†Which compose the Covenant: | Development in the Book of Genesis: | Any ChangeRead MoreRastafarian79520 Words   |  319 PagesRastafarianism is the national religion of Jamaica. 3. Rastas believe that Selassie is the returned messiah, that he is Jah, or God. They believed this fully prior to his passing in 1975 and after. Many believe that Selassie was a dictator and a cruel leader. That he is regarded as God incarnate seems patently absurd. 4. It is not clear whether Selassie believed himself to be a God. 5. For Rastas, marijuana, which is illegal in Jamaica, is a sacrament for worship. 6. Rastas regard western society as