Sermon Tone Analysis

1. How does the context inform the meaning of this passage?

Please consider: a) the literary context (passages before and after the passage), b) the historical context (circumstances of the audience), and c) the biblical context (citations/allusions or historical connections to other books that the author is making).

LITERARY -

Jacob has made his way to Haran and secured 2 brides to which he now has 12 sons as heirs.

It seems as if what God had promises was seeing it’s genesis at this point in Jacob.

But there is still a problem.

He has unresolved issues with his brother back in Canaan.

The fear of him is crippling Jacob and it shapes almost every decision he makes.

He still leans on his crafty and deceptive personality to get him through life.

Even to the point now, that not only has he deceived his father out of his brother’s inheritance, but he has done the same to his father in law.

In the midst of this, God calls him to go back to home.

So now Jacob is on the run.

He’s running headlong back into the hands of his brother, the source of this journey in the first place while what lies behind him is Laban and the mess he left that relationship in.

All the while, God has promised Jacob that he would bless him and carry out his plans to bless the world through his lineage.

HISTORICAL -

God had commanded Moses to teach Israel about Himself and His Law and to prepare to go back into the Promise Land by crossing the Jordan.

When Moses sent spies into the land, their fear got the best of them.

They appeared to be strong and well organized people compared to the nomadic Israelites.

Their report was met with great fear and resistence to crossing the Jordan.

God committed to allowing them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all of Moses’ generation had died off.

He would not let them see the promise land…including Moses.

Moses in recalling Jacob’s encounter, is forcing Israel to face their real fear.

Jacob’s wrestling, like theirs, was not with their enemies.

It was with their God.

As one pastor I recently heard intimated: “The movement from Eqypt [Slavery] to wilderness to promise land is the the story of God’s people as we wait as well.

BIBLICAL -

Allen Ross observes, “The story of Israel the man served as an acted parable of the life of the nation, in which is here presented its relationship with God almost prophetically.

The patriarch portrays the real spirit of the nation to engage in the persistent struggle with God until emerging strong in the blessing.

The nation is consequently referred to as Jacob or Israel, depending on which characteristics predominate.”

As one pastor I recently heard intimated: “The movement from Eqypt [Slavery] to wilderness to promise land is the the story of God’s people as we wait as well.

2. How has the author organized this passage?

Please a) show the structure in sections with verse references and b) explain what strategies you used to see this structure.

Larger Context:

V. 5-13 - Rebekah conspires to have Jacob Blessed instead

V. 14-29 - Jacob steals Esau’s Blessing

Genesis 32:1-

V. 30-40 - Isaac cannot Bless Esau

- Jacob fears facing his brother

- Jacob wrestles with God

V. 41- 46 - Jacob flees to Haran for Safety from Esau

- Jacob and Esau meet & reconcile

Smaller Scope:

Genesis 33:1

v.22-25 - Jacob wrestles with God

v. 26-29 - Jacob Discourses with God

v. 30-32 - God blesses Jacob

3. Drawing on your work to this point, state the author’s aim for his audience (in one short sentence).

To warn Israel that God will not allow independent, self-sufficient people to enter the Promised Land but only those who rely on God.

4. What parts of this passage connect to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

What part of the gospel is in view?

We can’t outrun our sin and brokeness

The Gospel provides us with a new name - Jacob = Israel

5. Drawing on your work to this point, what conclusion will you argue to your audience (in one short sentence)?

What applications will you make for your audience?

THEME:

When we meet Christ, we are given a new name that frees us from living lives yoked to fear of sin and brokeness.

APPLICATIONS:

Minor Application

God is always with his people no matter where they go

God’s plan to bless the earth is perpetuated through the institions of family and church…SO DISCIPLE YOUR CHILDREN & LOVE THE CHURCH

God is ever ready to lead us into righteousness and reconcililation

Major Application

God’ is not indifferent to our sin even when he works his plan through our lives…SO REPENT AND OBEY

God grants us a new name and therefore we are no longer yoked to our former identity under sin and death.

6.

What is your sermon title and your preaching outline?Possible Outline -

Sermon Title -

WRESTLING WITH GOD

Sermon Outline -

Sermon Outline -

THE SCHEMING OF REBEKAH (5-13)

THE DECEPTION OF JACOB (14-29, 41-45)

THE LACK OF SELF AWARENESS OF ESAU (30-40)