The New Israel

The New Israel

Jacob or Israel

Genesis 32:27-28

(Written by Estelle Nazary - preached at West Jackson Baptist Church by Jack Nazary in 1988)


Introduction: The Peniel the old Jacob became the new Israel. The Old "supplanter: or cheater became the Prince of God.)

Genesis 32:27-28 - "So He said to him, "What is your name? and he said, "Jacob". And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."


It is a story of the grace and mercy of God. Nether by birth or practice should he have prevailed, but the infinite purposes of God were filled with goodness toward him and he became the chosen head of the children of Israel.


I. The Old Jacob - born a supplanter. He was cunning, shrewd, a selfish bargainer of the future!

1. He was born immediately after Esau and was holding Esau's heel. So they call him Jacob - one who takes the place of another. Esau was a gifted hunter. He knew the ways of field and forest. He was a bighearted rough outdoor man, and his father Isaac loved him. Jacob was a soft-voiced feminine sort of man who stayed at home and washed the dishes. Most any busy Mother is grateful for a helper who will sweep the floor, "tidy up" the rooms, bring in water and run errands. So Rebecca loved Jacob as fervently as Isaac loved Esau.


2. To sit at home and think seemed more profitable than to go into the fields and hunt for the next thing we read - Jacob has the birthright and Esau has now nothing. Nobody is willing to defend Esau for selling his birthright, but Jacob drove a hard bargain with his brother. Genesis 25:29. Esau thought he was dying of hunger - of what value would his birthright be, and Jacob saw his chance and took it like a veteran swindler!!


3. For sheer unadulterated deception nothing in time could surpass the deception that won for Jacob the blessing. Laws and customs bestowed upon the eldest son a birthright in property that the younger son did not possess. Jacob beat Esau out of that one thing that was left the patriarchal blessing which carried with it the Messianic hope, and the assurance that his house would be preserved and protected and made fruitful throughout succeeding generations. Isaac through the years had intended to bestow that upon Esau, but when the time came, Jacob beat Esau out of that too! It's a sorry story from beginning to end. As a result, Jacob had to flee for his life from before Esau - For in Genesis 27:41 - Esau hated Jacob and Esau said in his heart "I will slay my brother, Jacob." Jacob goes to the house of his Mother in Haran and begins all over again his cunning deception.


4. Jacob's hard bargain with God. God had said "Behold, I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest...for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to the of." - Genesis 28:15. He did not take God at his word abut this bargain driver put an "if" at the beginning of the promises of God. - Genesis 28:20-21. He had not come to an end of himself thus had not begun with God.

Not a bad trade - -

You give me $10 and I'll give you back $1.00.

You give me $100 and I'll give you back $10.00.

To tithe most excellent thing - makes good steward of people blesses the church of our Lord. But to tithe in hopes of material gain is a cheap and shallow motive. Even an unbeliever would do that if he thought he could get rich by paying to Church a tithe.


5. Jacob in Haran 20 years. Lived in atmosphere suited to his bargain-making soul. Laban, Rebecca's brother was as tricky and unscrupulous as Jacob her son. Deception seems to run in the family! Cheater Laban met cheater Jacob, and Diamond cut Diamond. Laban enticed Jacob to work for 7 years for Rachel but found himself married to Leah - weak eyed one instead of Rachel the lovely eyed one. - Genesis 29:17. Seven more years of work for Rachel - thus 2 wives at the same time. Jealousy in Jacob's bigamist home led to his having children by 2 concubines and 2 wives, (4 different mothers)


6. Genesis - Trickster Labon and deceiver Jacob at odds over such things as herds, flocks, servants, and watering places. Labon learned that he was no match for this supplanter Jacob - and the affair came to open war, Jacob fled again. He stole away from Esau and now Labon. Had the Lord not intervened (Genesis 31:29) by saying to Labon "Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad." "O the depths of the love and mercy of God" and His grace who can know it. His ways are past finding out. God loved Jacob through all this. There is goodness of the elective purposes of God that is beyond understanding. How many of us are worthy of the wonderful providence of God that enriches our lives?!!! None!!! What have we done to become precious in His eyes? Yet He loves us when we are unlovely and bestows His wonderful grace upon us when we deserve the least.

II. Jacob and Esau - Genesis 32:7, 18

During the 20 years Jacob was in Haron, we wonder if he was ever able to escape the dark shadow that fear of Esau cast over him. Someday payday! Must meet the brother he had grievously wronged and treacherously deceived. Jacob was frantic: God's promises had been forgotten, the magnitude of the difficulties he faced was on his mind. Forgetting about God and His promises Jacob gave himself to fear and worry. Esau and 400 armed men meeting him "Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. Divided all he had into two companies, so that if Esau smite one the other may escape. He expected slaughter and bloodshed, his extremity drove him to his knees in a plea for help from God. The next day, Jacob prepared 5 generous presents for Esau, and gave instruction to his servants. Genesis 32:18 - Worry and fear drove Jacob to distraction. The wrong he had done under minded his confidence, and he feared lest his scheme would fail. He was unwilling to rely upon God's promise. "I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Worry had taken things out of God's hands and was forced to deal with them himself. He was afraid of tomorrow! Worry is a losing game. It is the interest we pay on tomorrows troubles that never materialize. Psalm 53:5 - "There were they in great fear where no fear was."

Worry? Why Worry? What can worry do? It never keeps trouble from overtaking you. It puts a frown upon the face and sharpness in the tone, We're unfit to live with others and unfit to live alone. Worry? Why Worry? What can worry do? It never keeps a trouble from overtaking you.
Pray? Why Pray? What can praying do? Praying really changes things arranges life anew. It puts a smile upon your face the love note in your tone. Pray? Why Pray? What can praying do? It brings God down from heaven to live and work with you....Author unknown

Someone rushed into Mr. Emerson and said "They tell me the world is coming to an end." Mr. Emerson quietly replied, "Well never mind, we can get along without it." That is right. The essential and only thing that really matters is God. In Him we have a life that is not dependent upon the world. Heaven and Earth will pass away but we will still have Jesus, and that is enough! Birds live in the will of God one day at a time. Our refusal to live 2 days at a time reminds of Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and at tomorrows evil take care of itself."

III. The New Israel

Over a little brook called Jabbok that flows into the Jordan from the east, Jacob sent his family, his flocks, and herd, his servants and all that he had, and he was left alone. With what dread and fear he waited for tomorrow. We do not know with what anguish he prayed out his soul, we are not told. We do know that night witnessed the conversion of the deceiver Jacob; that night he became Israel, the Prince of God.