Fear Causes Desperation vv.3-5
Jacob is so afraid of Esau, he is desperate to try anything. Here is a little background. Let’s recap! About Twenty years have passed since he fled to Haran after taking his brother’s birthright and blessing by tricking their dad. He is now returning to Canaan in obedience to God. God had just preserved his family and possessions from the angry Laban. Jacob’s number one fear now, is his brother Esau. He knew that he would have to face his brother who had planned to kill him when he gets back to his home land.
So Jacob sent messengers to Esau with a carefully worded message to let him know that Jacob wasn’t coming back to try to dominate Esau. He was coming as Esau’s servant, seeking his favor (32:4-5).
Whatever you fear, it causes great acts of desperation when you come near that fear. You’re looking for an exit, you’re starting to sweat, you are desperate to get through the situation by any means possible. How do you think Joshua felt when Moses left him in charge?
Joshua 1:1-9
God tells us not to fear. That He will be with us!
Fear Creates Distress vv.6-8
Distress happens as a result of desperation. As he nervously waited for his messengers to return, the messengers returned and said, “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him” (32:6).
Fear Can Lead to Dependence upon God or Doubt vv.9-12
The only positive element fear can encourage for some people is a healthy dependence on the Lord. Prayer and dependence on God should have been Jacob’s first step before acts of desperation and distress.
Our first step when we feel fearful is to cry out to God. Faith can overcome fear, but flesh will continue to feed fear.
When Jacob hears of Esau and his men marching toward him, he doubts and divides his own group into two camps possibly thinking that if Esau attacks one camp, the other might be able to escape. But he is forgetting about God’s camp of angels and substituting his own two camps for God’s two camps. With God’s two camps (the angels and Jacob’s), Jacob was perfectly safe. But Jacob’s two-camp plan had a major flaw–it left God out!
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Fear Controls Decisions vv.13-21
If Jacob had kept his mind on God’s provision at Maha- naim, he could have confidently marched at the front of his family and flocks as he met Esau. He could have confidently thought, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
Fear Clouds Destiny vv.22-32
Jacob had been promised a great destiny, but out of fear he tries to take matters into his own hands. He wrestles with an angel until he gets his way. Have you ever forced something, knowing that in time you’d have it? Isn’t this the common problem? Remember the Prodigal Son, the Lord humbles him until he returns? The Lord humbles Jacob until he looks to God!
How to Overcome Fear
- Realize God is bigger than…
- Recognize God’s Bigger Purpose
-Genesis 50:19-21 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them
-Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Repent of wrong thoughts, attitudes, and actions
-Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
- Release your fear, need to forgive, and anger to God
-Matthew 18:21-35
-Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you
-Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
- Rejoice in the Lord always
-Philippians 4:4-7
- Remember the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give abundant life
-John 10:10
- Realize you are a victor through Jesus, not a victim