Blessed by God

Spurgeon, Charles Haddon

Genesis 32:29

And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray you, your name. And he said, Why is it that you do ask after my name?…

I. WHAT WAS JACOB'S BLESSING IN THAT PLACE?

1. He was saved from a great peril — Esau's attack.

2. He was forgiven a great wrong — supplanting.

3. He was able to feel that a great breach was healed (Genesis 33:4).

4. He had won a new name and rank (ver. 28). He was knighted on the spot, made a prince on the field.

5. He was now under a fresh anointing: he was a superior man ever after. "The angel redeemed him from all evil" (Genesis 48:16).

II. WHAT WAS THE PLACE? "He blessed him there."

1. A place of great trial (vers. 6, 7).

2. A place of humble confession. "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast showed to Thy servant" (ver. 10).

3. A place of pleading (vers. 11, 12). "There wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day" (ver. 24).

4. A place of communion. "I have seen God face to face" (ver. 30).

5. A place of conscious weakness. "As he passed over Penuel, the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh."

III. ARE THERE OTHER SUCH PLACES?

1. Before the earth was created the Lord blessed His chosen people in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3, 4).

2. At the Cross the tomb, and the throne of Jesus.

3. In the heavenly places.

4. At conversion (Psalm 32:1, 2).

5. In times of stripping, humbling, chastening, pleading, &c. (James 1:12).

6. In times of prompt obedience (Psalm 1:1).

7. At the ordinances (Acts 8:39; Luke 24:30, 31).

IV. IS THIS SUCH A PLACE? Yes, if you are —

1. Willing to give up sin.

2. Willing to have Jesus for your all in all.

3. Willing to resign yourself to the Father's will.

4. Willing to serve God in His own way.

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