Skip to main content

Why do You Ask?

TEXT: Genesis 32:24-30

Ge 32:24 ¶ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

  • Sometimes we ask a LOADED question without meaning to.
  • When you began looking into the things of God, you had no idea what you were getting into!
  • But God is glad you asked!

1. Don't You know by Now? (Acknowledge the Hand of God in Your Life)

-- GOD ALMIGHTY --

Ge 31:11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

  • Does God Answer to Me? (Humility is Paramount to Engaging the God of Heaven.)
  • Why do you ask my name?
  • Why do you want to know my name?
  • What are you after? What is motivating your quest?

This event does not occur spontaneously detached from Jacobs life. His life was truly leading to this moment. The Wrestling Match of a Lifetime

2. Is the Question in order? Is my life in order?

  • Lives Out of Order

    1. Jacob - What is your Name? Gen. 32:24-32
  • In a crisis, God gets to ask all the questions.

  • Identity -- Do you even know? Who are we going to be? When addressed by a military you guard you might be required to identify yourself \Who are you?

  • Do you have the right to be here? [Itami Airbase Japan]

  • Are you enemy or foe?

    1. Adam - Where Are You? Where have you been living? Gen. 3:8
    2. Cain - What hast thou done? Gen. 4:10
    3. Saul - What should you be doing? Do you know your place? (running from God’s will)
    4. Esther - Who are your people? Esther 2:10; 7:3-6
    5. Disciples - Who is Jesus to You? Matthew 16:13-17
    6. **Peter - Where do you stand? ** Matthew 26:69-75

Rachel Scott was the first of 13 to be killed at Columbine High School. The day she died, Rachel Scott carried a notebook in her backpack, on which she’d written the words “I won’t be labeled as average.” The shooters shot her in the leg and asked if she believed in God. She replied, “You Know I do.”

8. Is what you have with God worth dieing for?

3. What is Your Name? Do You want More?

  • In his name is the revelation of His character
  • and in that revealing is the placing of a debt.
  • What would you do with Jesus if you had Him?
  • Would He be more precious to you than anything else?

4. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW?

Judges 13:18 — And the angel of the LORD said unto him [Manoah], Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? [wonderful]

Jacob left that day with only a blessing. I say ONLY, not that his blessing was a minor thing, but ONLY in that there is much more of God to know than to know of his works. He is worth knowing, but is is going to cost you!

Iranian Air Defense Radar: 'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.'
Aircraft: 'This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.'
Air Defense Radar: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!
Aircraft: 'This is a United States Marine Corps FA-18 fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait!'

1Pe 1:6 ¶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Ex 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

  • Before leaving this world, Jacob got his name! He prophesied:

Ge 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

The story God was writing was much bigger than Jacob and his little family.

We are made STEWARDS of the MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD. Multifaceted.

  • love, peace, joy, goodness, spiritua gifts. unity, victory, rewards

He gives the Holy Spirit to those that obey Him!

Are you after more than a blessing?

What is name?

  1. Have You BEEN to the Cross?
  2. Have You TAKEN up your cross?
  3. Are you WALKING IN DAILY OBEDIENCE?