February 03, 2026

"Jacob's Turning Point" Genesis 32

29 minutes

Title: Jacob’s Turning Point

Text: Genesis 32:24-30

Theme: Jacob yielding to God

Key Verse: Gen 32:24

Wrestling Match that happens to be the turning point of Jacob’s life

Turning Point (Webster’s Dictionary)- a point at which a significant change occurs.

Read Title: Jacob’s Turning Point

Introduction:

Who?

Jacob (heel-catcher, deceitful, clever)

Son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, Father of Joseph

Inherited Abraham’s blessing and became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel

What?

In this passage, we see his Surrender to God (Peak of his life, turning point)

Where?

Peniel (the face of God)

Him and his family are leaving Haran and going to Bethel

When

Dated at 1906 B.C.

after Jacob left Laban(uncle) and before he was reunited with Esau (brother)

Joseph was very little at this time, Benjamin had not been born yet

Why?

He was told to return to Bethel by the Lord in a dream (Gen 31:11-13)

God had a plan for Jacob and his 11 sons and it wasn’t in Haran, it was in Bethel

Now, Bethel is very important place in the life of Jacob. God is calling him back

•How?

Jacob’s Backsliding (very important verse – Gen 25:19-26)

Jacob was God’s representative. God made a promise to Abraham that he would be the Father of a nation, confirmed it with Isaac, and confirmed it with Jacob. The chosen line that would lead directly to Christ.

Before Jacob can bear any fruit and be of any service he needed a turning point. Even though he was saved, he had made a lot of carnal decisions.

Younger of two, twin brother named Esau (wrestled in the womb)

Esau – red, earthy – was a man’s man. He was Isaac’s favorite. (All-American Boy) he was very physical, athletic

Jacob – Mama’s boy, he did what his mommy told him to do, very deceitful and clever

Took his brother’s birthright – Gen 25:27-34

Birthright – one who had it was the head of the home, who also would be the line to Christ (the priest of the family)

Jacob had a hold of Esau’s heel when they were born, he was constantly trying to get that position of the older brother

Esau could care less about the birthright, he didn’t care about being the spiritual leader of the home. He was red “earthy” he represents the flesh. He acted as if he was going to starve to death – this isn’t true. A boy out of the house of Abraham is not going to starve to death! He wanted it right then and there.

God had already promised Rebekah that Esau would serve Jacob (“the elder shall serve the younger”) Instead of waiting on God, he does it his way, tricky deceitful way.

Took his brother’s blessing – Gen 27

Isaac requested that Esau would go make him some venison so he could bless him.

The blessing that Isaac received had to be passed on, so he wanted to pass it down to Esau.

Instead, he passed it on to Jacob…dressed like Esau. (Rebekah dressed Jacob up like Esau and they tricked Isaac)

However, something is missing. (illustration of this story)

God has already promised this to Jacob!

In the life of Jacob (as well as home of Isaac), you will find there is a lot of unnecessary sin. There is trickery, bargaining, heartache, deceit, and it is all unnecessary. God has already promised him these things, but he was carnal, he was living in the flesh!

Illustration of 1 John 1:9

Flee’s to Laban his uncle

Rebekah wanted him to leave to protect him from Esau “few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away” this turned into a 20 year Journey! Rebekah would never see her son again.

Salvation at Bethel – Gen 28:13-16 (compare to verse 20-22)

Abrahamic covenant confirmed

Dreams a dream (ladder going to heaven with Angels ascending and descending, Lord at the top)

This is the place of Jacob’s salvation, up to this point there was greed and selfishness. Now Jacob is a changed man and had given his heart to God. However, he does not always live for him the way he should.

He arrives at Haran and meets Laban’s 2 daughters (Rachel and Leah)

Rachel was beautiful, well desired, and loved by Jacob

Leah was…..well, Leah was Rachel’s sister

“tender eyed” – she wasn’t beautiful

Rachal was a tree that blossomed, Leah was a girl who fell from the tree and hit every branch of the way down.”

Jacob served for Rachel but got Leah, He reaped what he sowed. He was cocky and clever, and his life would show how he had to pay for that.

He serves 14 years and now has 2 wives (polygamy)

God does not approve of this!

Just because it is in the Bible doesn’t mean God approves of it. Did God approve of what Adam did in the garden? Did he approve of David numbering the people?

Jacob is backslidden and has many family troubles because of it. God has already made him a promise but Jacob did things his own way, and he suffered greatly for it.

Jacob’s Burden – Gen 31-32

He is told of God to leave

He is accused of his uncle for stealing, many family problems

Genesis 32:9-10

Jacob’s burden (his uncle behind him, and his angry brother ahead of him)

He cries to God for His mercy, He pleads and begs

So,what does he do? He goes back to his old ways (Gen 32:17-20)

Butter him up

Bribe him with hundreds of animals, his stocks

Illustration of how we bring our burdens before God then carry them back with us and try to handle it our way.

Jacob’s Blessing – Gen 32

Jacob figures it is best to split up the group, so if Esau comes to avenge himself he can only get half of what he has.

He sends his family before him and now he is alone. All by himself, and he wrestles with someone.

Hosea 12:1-5

The man he wrestled with was no other than Jehova, the preincarnate Christ.

He wrestles with God and limps away a blessed man. A devoted man. God’s man.

This was the turning point in Jacob’s life

How much?

Read Title: Jacob’s Turning Point

Turning Point (Webster’s Dictionary)- a point at which a significant change occurs.

Jacob was God’s man, he was God’s representative. But he did not have a good testimony

“At Bethel he became a son of God, here he became a saint of God. He came away from Bethel with a new spring in his step; he came away from the Jabbok with a lasting limp in his walk. At Bethel he died to his sin; here he died to self.” – Dr. John Philips, Exploring Genesis

Are you backslidden?

Are you carrying your own burden?

If so, you need to turn things around.

Outline: “Jacob’s Turning Point”

How did Jacob turn things around?

When he Got Alone – v.24

“There are so many people who want to get together to have a great prayer meeting or other great gatherings. Friend, have you ever tried being alone? That is where God will meet with you. Take the Word of God and go off alone with Him. It will do you a lot of good.”

Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Need to turn things around? Get alone with God.

Proverbs 18:1 - Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.

We need to have our time alone with God. Yes, we need our time with the Brethren, but we also need that time with God!

We need to listen to that “still small voice”

1 Kings 19:11-13King James Version (KJV)

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

We have a hard time listening to God, because we don’t get alone with Him!

Illustration of how loud the world can be. How loud the Church can be.

Jacob had so much going on, he knew who he is, where he was going, but he was doing things his way! His life turned around when he got alone with God.

II.When he Got a Whooping (Chastised) – v.25

He wrestled with the Lord, and the Lord would end up crippling him.

Hebrews 12:6 6For whom the LORD loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Jacob’s turning point came when he was whooped.

We can get nowhere as Christians by struggling with God.

God had to break Jacob…literally. God had to cripple him.

When he Gave Up (Yielded) – 26-30

Jacob is no longer wrestling here. He is holding on, he has gave up.

Laban is behind him, Esau is before him, his troubles are all around him and God is right in front of him: and Jacob is not going to let go.

Whatever it is in your life that is keeping you from the fellowship with God, give it up.

Yield to the Lord. No more trickery, selfishness, no more doing things my way. Let’s do things God’s way.

Illustration of God’s people who still try to do things their way. (we know what’s right, we know what the Bible says, but we do it anyway) Time to give up! Time to tap out! Time to let go!

His name is changed from Jacob (trickster, deceitful) to Israel (“for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men and hast prevailed”

Conclusion: “Jacob’s Turning Point”

When he Got Alone – v.24

When he Got a Whooping (Chastised) – v.25

When he Gave Up (Yielded) – 26-30

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

...more

View all episodes

By Dean Carmichael, Jr

February 03, 2026

"Jacob's Turning Point" Genesis 32

29 minutes

Title: Jacob’s Turning Point

Text: Genesis 32:24-30

Theme: Jacob yielding to God

Key Verse: Gen 32:24

Wrestling Match that happens to be the turning point of Jacob’s life

Turning Point (Webster’s Dictionary)- a point at which a significant change occurs.

Read Title: Jacob’s Turning Point

Introduction:

Who?

Jacob (heel-catcher, deceitful, clever)

Son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, Father of Joseph

Inherited Abraham’s blessing and became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel

What?

In this passage, we see his Surrender to God (Peak of his life, turning point)

Where?

Peniel (the face of God)

Him and his family are leaving Haran and going to Bethel

When

Dated at 1906 B.C.

after Jacob left Laban(uncle) and before he was reunited with Esau (brother)

Joseph was very little at this time, Benjamin had not been born yet

Why?

He was told to return to Bethel by the Lord in a dream (Gen 31:11-13)

God had a plan for Jacob and his 11 sons and it wasn’t in Haran, it was in Bethel

Now, Bethel is very important place in the life of Jacob. God is calling him back

•How?

Jacob’s Backsliding (very important verse – Gen 25:19-26)

Before Jacob can bear any fruit and be of any service he needed a turning point. Even though he was saved, he had made a lot of carnal decisions.

Younger of two, twin brother named Esau (wrestled in the womb)

Esau – red, earthy – was a man’s man. He was Isaac’s favorite. (All-American Boy) he was very physical, athletic

Jacob – Mama’s boy, he did what his mommy told him to do, very deceitful and clever

Took his brother’s birthright – Gen 25:27-34

Birthright – one who had it was the head of the home, who also would be the line to Christ (the priest of the family)

Jacob had a hold of Esau’s heel when they were born, he was constantly trying to get that position of the older brother

God had already promised Rebekah that Esau would serve Jacob (“the elder shall serve the younger”) Instead of waiting on God, he does it his way, tricky deceitful way.

Took his brother’s blessing – Gen 27

Isaac requested that Esau would go make him some venison so he could bless him.

The blessing that Isaac received had to be passed on, so he wanted to pass it down to Esau.

Instead, he passed it on to Jacob…dressed like Esau. (Rebekah dressed Jacob up like Esau and they tricked Isaac)

However, something is missing. (illustration of this story)

God has already promised this to Jacob!

Illustration of 1 John 1:9

Flee’s to Laban his uncle

Rebekah wanted him to leave to protect him from Esau “few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away” this turned into a 20 year Journey! Rebekah would never see her son again.

Salvation at Bethel – Gen 28:13-16 (compare to verse 20-22)

Abrahamic covenant confirmed

Dreams a dream (ladder going to heaven with Angels ascending and descending, Lord at the top)

He arrives at Haran and meets Laban’s 2 daughters (Rachel and Leah)

Rachel was beautiful, well desired, and loved by Jacob

Leah was…..well, Leah was Rachel’s sister

“tender eyed” – she wasn’t beautiful

Rachal was a tree that blossomed, Leah was a girl who fell from the tree and hit every branch of the way down.”

Jacob served for Rachel but got Leah, He reaped what he sowed. He was cocky and clever, and his life would show how he had to pay for that.

He serves 14 years and now has 2 wives (polygamy)

God does not approve of this!

Just because it is in the Bible doesn’t mean God approves of it. Did God approve of what Adam did in the garden? Did he approve of David numbering the people?

Jacob is backslidden and has many family troubles because of it. God has already made him a promise but Jacob did things his own way, and he suffered greatly for it.

Jacob’s Burden – Gen 31-32

He is told of God to leave

He is accused of his uncle for stealing, many family problems

Genesis 32:9-10

Jacob’s burden (his uncle behind him, and his angry brother ahead of him)

He cries to God for His mercy, He pleads and begs

So,what does he do? He goes back to his old ways (Gen 32:17-20)

Butter him up

Bribe him with hundreds of animals, his stocks

Illustration of how we bring our burdens before God then carry them back with us and try to handle it our way.

Jacob’s Blessing – Gen 32

Jacob figures it is best to split up the group, so if Esau comes to avenge himself he can only get half of what he has.

He sends his family before him and now he is alone. All by himself, and he wrestles with someone.

Hosea 12:1-5

The man he wrestled with was no other than Jehova, the preincarnate Christ.

He wrestles with God and limps away a blessed man. A devoted man. God’s man.

This was the turning point in Jacob’s life

How much?

Read Title: Jacob’s Turning Point

Turning Point (Webster’s Dictionary)- a point at which a significant change occurs.

Jacob was God’s man, he was God’s representative. But he did not have a good testimony

Are you backslidden?

Are you carrying your own burden?

If so, you need to turn things around.

Outline: “Jacob’s Turning Point”

How did Jacob turn things around?

When he Got Alone – v.24

Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Need to turn things around? Get alone with God.

Proverbs 18:1 - Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.

We need to have our time alone with God. Yes, we need our time with the Brethren, but we also need that time with God!

We need to listen to that “still small voice”

1 Kings 19:11-13King James Version (KJV)

We have a hard time listening to God, because we don’t get alone with Him!

Illustration of how loud the world can be. How loud the Church can be.

Jacob had so much going on, he knew who he is, where he was going, but he was doing things his way! His life turned around when he got alone with God.

II.When he Got a Whooping (Chastised) – v.25

He wrestled with the Lord, and the Lord would end up crippling him.

Hebrews 12:6 6For whom the LORD loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Jacob’s turning point came when he was whooped.

We can get nowhere as Christians by struggling with God.

God had to break Jacob…literally. God had to cripple him.

When he Gave Up (Yielded) – 26-30

Jacob is no longer wrestling here. He is holding on, he has gave up.

Laban is behind him, Esau is before him, his troubles are all around him and God is right in front of him: and Jacob is not going to let go.

Whatever it is in your life that is keeping you from the fellowship with God, give it up.

Yield to the Lord. No more trickery, selfishness, no more doing things my way. Let’s do things God’s way.

Illustration of God’s people who still try to do things their way. (we know what’s right, we know what the Bible says, but we do it anyway) Time to give up! Time to tap out! Time to let go!

His name is changed from Jacob (trickster, deceitful) to Israel (“for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men and hast prevailed”

Conclusion: “Jacob’s Turning Point”

When he Got Alone – v.24

When he Got a Whooping (Chastised) – v.25

When he Gave Up (Yielded) – 26-30

A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

...more

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"Jacob's Turning Point" Genesis 32

"Jacob's Turning Point" Genesis 32