Jacob and the Wrestler

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Tim Keller

Religion & Spirituality, Religion, Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Christianity, Spirituality

4.8 • 15K Ratings

🗓️ 1 May 2023

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Drawing near to God is perilous. If there’s any place in the Bible where that comes out, it’s here, because when Jacob draws near to God, he finds that God is a wrestler. This is the climactic moment in Jacob’s life. This is the place where Jacob finally finds out what his life means, finally finds out what his main problem is, finally has a transformation of heart. Before this incident, Jacob plays at religion. After this, he’s a changed man. To understand this narrative, we have to 1) look at the whole scope of Jacob’s life and how this brings it all together, and then 2) draw out four practical conclusions for us today. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on September 8, 1996. Series: Daring to Draw Near. Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Gospel and Life.
0:05.0	Throughout the Bible, we see accounts of people who have had direct
0:09.0	extraordinary encounters with God.
0:12.0	In today's sermon, Tim Keller is teaching through one of those extraordinary encounters,
0:16.0	what happened and what it means for us today.
0:19.0	After you listen, please take a few seconds to rate and review our podcast.
0:23.0	Your review can help others to discover our podcast and experience the hope of the Gospel.
0:29.0	Now here's today's teaching from Dr. Keller.
0:32.0	This is the story of Jacob.
0:38.0	This is the climax of his life.
0:41.0	Let me read it to you.
0:45.0	That night, Jacob got up and took his two wives,
0:50.0	his two maid servants and his eleven sons, and crossed the Ford of the J-bok.
0:56.0	After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions,
1:01.0	so Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
1:08.0	When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip
1:13.0	so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
1:17.0	Then the man said, let me go for it his daybreak, but Jacob replied,
1:22.0	I will not let you go unless you bless me.
1:25.0	And the man asked him, what is your name?
1:28.0	Jacob answered, then the man said, your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,
1:35.0	because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.
	...

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