Help QuickNav Adv. Options
KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Section Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Section Next Book
Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Hosea 12:2-5

Choose a new font size and typeface
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"VICTORY THROUGH DEFEAT"
Intro: The day you are forced to cry out in despair "I can't do it" will be a day of tragedy or great victory, it depends upon what you do next.
I. THE STORY: Jacob 90 year old man returning home, his reason for leaving home: he went out empty, he is returning a wealthy man. He has received disturbing news, Esau his brother is coming with a host. He takes every possible precaution, now he remains alone across the stream Jacob to pray. During the night an angel came & they began to wrestle there in the dark until the eastern sky began to lighten with the first rays of dawn. It was at this point the angel touched the muscle of his thigh causing it to shrivel, making Jacob a cripple. The angel then demanded that Jacob let him go & Jacob responded "I will not let you go except you bless me." "What is your name?" "Jacob" shall be Israel... "For as a prince thou hast power with God & with man & hast prevailed".
II. THE PUZZLE: "HOW CAN MAN PREVAIL AGAINST GOD?"
A. It would seem by the story that through sheer strength of determination, this old man hung on until he got what he wanted.
1. I have even heard sermons to this effect.
B. Jacob did prevail but how?
1. "I will not let you go except you bless me."
2. The tone of voice is most important.
3. If this was a stern demand, then I do not understand God's dealings with man.
4. Hosea gives us the tone of voice "he wept & made supplication."
5. He was defeated! His strength was gone, now he is a cripple, how could he possibly hope for victory in any show of force with his offended brother now?
III. THE APPLICATION.
A. How many times do we wrestle with God over different issues in our lives.
1. God begins to touch those things upon which we were trusting until we are brought to helplessness.
2. His purpose is never to destroy only to teach us the true place of strength. "Israel."
B. God has declared His way to us. Jesus Christ.
1. You can argue with it.
2. You can fight against it.
3. You can look for other routes.
4. You can endeavor to create your own salvation.
5. Some day you will be brought to despair.
Sermon Notes for Hosea 12:2-4 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Hosea 12:3 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Daniel 1:8 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Joel 2:12 Next Book →
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
← Back to all Commentaries
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
  [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV
Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.