Is God Omnipotent?

[jmt356]

Many readers have struggled to understand the account in Genesis 32 of Jacob’s encounter with a man with whom he wrestled and overcame. That account was the subject of a thread I opened in December asking why God said that no one could see God and live (Exo 33:20), yet Jacob said he saw God “face to face” and lived (Gen 32:30). See https://christianforums.net/Fellows...et-jacob-saw-god-face-to-face-and-lived.84835.

If we are to read Exodus 33 as a narrative that recounts Jacob’s encounter with God himself (and not an angel, as some people interpret it), how can we maintain that God is omnipotent? Consider:
- 1. God did not prevail against Jacob (Gen 32:25);
- 2. God had to ask Jacob to let Him go; He could not escape on His own (Gen 32:26);
- 3. Jacob expressed his dominance over God and stated he would not let God go unless God blessed him (Gen 32:26).

It would seem that either the person that Jacob wrestled was not God or, if he was God, that God is not omnipotent.

These are the relevant verses:
Gen 32:25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.
Gen 32:26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"
Gen 32:27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."
Gen 32:28 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."

The NIV Study Bible commentary note at 32:25 states:
God came to him in such a form that Jacob could wrestle with him successfully, yet he showed Jacob that he could disable him at will.

 

[Who Me]

When my son was small we used to have wrestling games, durring which he believed he could beat me!

Do you believe a six year old can pin a grown man down?

Why do you believe a mere man can prevail against God?

With a touch God dislocated Jacobs hip! If that was possible then with a touch he could have pinned Jacob to the ground. We see that God limited his power, that the wrestling was a test of Jacob.

 

[jmt356]

The Scriptures make clear that it was not a matter of God letting Jacob win. We read:

God did not prevail against Jacob (Gen 32:25), not that God allowed Jacob to prevail against Him:
Gen 32:25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him …

God had to ask Jacob to let Him go; He could not escape on His own (Gen 32:26):
Gen 32:26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks."

Jacob expressed his dominance over God and stated he would not let God go unless God blessed him (Gen 32:26):
Gen 32:26 But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"

The Scriptures present this as a struggle between God and Jacob. If we state here that God let Jacob prevail, we would be adding to Scripture and negating what is stated in Genesis 32:25 (God saw that He did not prevail against Jacob).

 

[for_his_glory]

God is without boundaries and has unlimited power and authority. He is limitless in all he has ever done, ever will do or ever speak as all of creation is subject to his omnipotence. We can read of God’s creation in Genesis chapter one that he is the creative word as he only had to speak the universe into existence and it was done. Genesis 17:1, 2 he is expressed by his name Almighty God before Abraham who spoke with great authority and power as he told Abraham to walk worthy before him and made his covenant between himself, Abraham and all generations to come in Genesis 12.

God is in control of nations and nature through out history as we can clearly see that his word says do not touch mine anointed in Psalms 105:15 as God’s covenant is to all generations that will walk and be made perfect before him. God has control of all the covenant promises he has made with his people and that no one can interfere with what God has given them. A good example of this is when God gave Israel the land of Canaan that was rich with milk and honey that they should never depart from that land. Many have tried to come against Gods Promised Land and God will always put the enemy in our hands with his unlimited power and authority, which is also given to us through grace to stand against the enemy.

God’s omnipotence is expressed through his son Christ Jesus whom gave his life as a ransom so we could have eternal life with the Father, John 3:16; Romans 10:9, 10. God’s infinite power is shown through the Holy Spirit that guides us, comforts us, protects us and teaches us all things of Gods word, John 14:26.

Through doubt, which is lack of faith, we at times limit God and place boundaries around him that shuts off his power and authority in our lives especially when we face trials and tribulations we allow ourselves to get caught up in and see no way out, which opens the door for Satan to bring fear into our thoughts. James 1:17 says every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from God whom is no variableness, but we try to change what God is even when he is unchangeable and we can not fathom with our carnal mind how God can change every situation in our life.

God only wants the best for us and will always give us his best in his timing. When we wait on Gods timing then his perfection is fulfilled in us which brings glory and honor to his name. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Teach us Lord of your omnipotence that we may walk before you in all your fullness.


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