How Jacob Became Israel

Text: Genesis 32:1-32

Grappling with Fear Leads to Self-Reliance (Gen. 32:1-21)

• God reassures Jacob of His abiding presence and protection.
• Jacob grapples with his greatest fear and resorts to self-reliance instead of depending on God.
• When we are struggling with fear, our only hope is found in trusting in God (Ps. 27:1-3; 56:3-4).

Wrestling with God Leads to Total Transformation (Gen. 32:22-32)

• God wrestles with Jacob in order to wrestle him out of self-reliance to submission and surrender to Him.
• Transformation happens when God brings you to the end of yourself and you turn to Him as your only hope.

MAIN IDEA: God transforms us by taking us from self-reliance to total surrender and dependence upon Him.