LESSON 17 - JACOB AND THE ANGEL.

April 28, 1888.

  1. How long was Jacob with his uncle Laban? Gen. 31:38.
  2. Was his service an easy one? Verses 39-41.
  3. How did God prosper him? Verses 7-9, 42.
  4. When Jacob fled from Laban, how did the Lord interpose to protect him from Laban’s wrath? Verse 29.
  5. As Jacob went on his way, who met him? Gen. 32:1.
  6. What did Jacob say, and what did he call the place? Verse 2.
  7. For what purpose are angels sent to earth? Heb. 1:14.
  8. What message did Jacob send to Esau? Gen. 32:3-5.
  9. What news did the messengers bring back? Verse 6.
  10. How was Jacob affected by this news? Verse 7.
  11. What good reason had Jacob for fearing Esau?
  12. What prayer for deliverance did he make? Verses 9-12.
  13. What precautions did he take for safety? Verses 7, 8, 13-21.
  14. When Jacob was left alone who encountered him? Verse 24.
  15. How long did he wrestle with the stranger? Ib.
  16. Who was it that was wrestling with him? Hosea 12:4, 5.
  17. What act opened Jacob’s eyes as to the real nature of his antagonist? Gen. 32:25.
  18. What did the Lord then say? Verse 26, first part.
  19. What may we conclude from this? Ans. - That as soon as Jacob found out who it was that he was wrestling with, he ceased wrestling, and threw his arms about the Lord.
  20. What reply did Jacob make to the Lord’s request? Verse 26, last part.
  21. How urgent was Jacob’s plea? Hosea 12:4.
  22. Why was Jacob so urgent at this time?
  23. What evidence did he finally receive that his prayer was successful? Gen. 32: 27, 28.
  24. What was involved in this blessing? Ans. - The pardon of all the sins of his past life.
  25. Into what condition do sinners usually come before obtaining pardon? Rom. 7:24, 25.
  26. What further evidence did he have that he had prevailed with God and with men? Gen. 33:1-16.
  27. What exhortation is given us from this case? Hosea 12:6.
  28. Of what time in the history of the people of God was this experience of Jacob a figure? Dan. 12:1; Jer. 30:7.
  29. What will be granted to all those who finally prevail? Rev. 3:21.

NOTE.

The reason why Jacob was so urgent when he found out with whom he had been wrestling, was that he felt that he had come to a crisis in his life; he had no earthly friends who could help him, his own brother was his sworn enemy; and he knew that if God did not interpose to help him he was lost. He knew also that this calamity had come upon him because of his own wicked course. And since sin separates from God, he knew that if Esau met him before he made his peace with God, he would be eternally lost. For this reason he had sought that retired place to pray. We can imagine the agony of mind which he suffered while he was wrestling with one whom he doubtless supposed was a robber; he had retired to seek the Lord in this emergency, and precious time was rapidly passing while he was being kept from his purpose by this stranger. And it requires no stretch of imagination to believe that as soon as he found that his antagonist was the Lord, whom he had come to seek, he ceased wrestling, and threw his arms about the Lord, while he declared, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” This holding onto the Lord was indicative of his importunity and the strength of his faith, and is an example for all who seek special blessings from the Lord.

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