Home Group Study Questions // May 11th History
Session 15: Wrestling With God
Genesis 32:28 — “Then he said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”’
[Read Genesis 32-33]
- The story of Jacob and Esau is full of family conflict stemming from Jacob’s manipulation of his brother and deception of his father over the family birthright/inheritance. What do we learn in Chapters 32-33 about Jacob and Esau’s relationship? What do we know about Laban and Jacob’s relationship?
- In Chapter 32, Jacob is called back to his homeland. Why do you think God is calling him back?
- Who comes out to meet Jacob as he is returning? What does Jacob think is going to happen in this meeting with Esau? Why?
- In verses 24-28, we have the account of Jacob wrestling with God. Why is he wrestling with God? What does this tell us about his life and the conflicts he has had with his brother?
- Why do we wrestle God? How might we push back and fight with God? Why? How might our conflicts with each other result from conflict between us and God?
- What happens to Jacob in this wrestling match? How does this show us the power of God?
- As Jacob wrestles with God, he asks for a blessing. How does God bless Jacob? (V.28)
- In verse 28, we are told that Jacob’s name is changed to Israel, because he has “Striven with God and prevailed.” What does this mean? Hint: We should not take this to mean that he beat God or made God submit to him, but that Jacob had wrestled with God and was not obliterated by a holy and almighty God. God was gracious to him. (V.30)
- We can also conclude from this account that Jacob’s life was changed through this encounter. What growth do you see in his life in Chapter 32? How does this shape his meeting with his brother Esau?
- Will you share a personal story in your life where God got your attention through conflict or trial? How does God use tribulations to shape our lives?