wrestling

"I will not let You go unless You bless me" (Genesis 32:26b)


Jacob wrestling with God.

This account has been read or referred to at least seven times since the beginning of the year: at a conference, during Scripture readings and staff devotions, in multiple unrelated books, during conversations, etc. Recently, our pastor became unexpectedly ill on Sunday, so an elder read a sermon that had been on file for quite some time. From the pulpit, I hear "please turn to Genesis 32:22...." Incredible!

I love it how God sometimes teaches us in "themes."
It solidifies the message and emphasizes its importance. That is definitely true of this passage.


Jacob, the now-mighty man, returning to his homeland.
Jacob, the successful man, blessed by the Lord.
Jacob, the deceiver. Jacob's name itself means "supplanter" in Hebrew: literally, "the one who takes the heel." He had taken things by scheme and by force throughout his life.

Now Jacob is returning to Canaan after living with his uncle Laban in Haran, as God commanded him (Gen. 31:13). Laban and Jacob made a covenant, but Jacob still needs to face his brother Esau, who is coming to meet him. Jacob has reason to be afraid.

Remarkably, Jacob prays before the Lord, acknowledging that God is the one who directs and controls all things (Gen. 32:9-10). Jacob recognizes that without God, his efforts are in vain. God is the giver of all gifts and the great Protector.

Genesis 32:22-32. God has Jacob...alone...and wrestles with him in a visible manifestation. He "matches his strength" to Jacob's and demands everything from him, not allowing Jacob to depend upon his own human strength and his wit. God touches / strikes Jacob's hip, the pivot of his wrestling strength, and the hip is put out of joint.

YET, Jacob clings to God. He acknowledges his inferiority before God and ask the greater to bless him, the lesser. He knows he relies upon the Lord.

And God, great and merciful, gives Jacob a new name. Israel. Prince with God. The one who strives with God. Israel, the name that will be forever passed down to God's people. Remarkable.

So Jacob names the place Peniel, meaning "I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved." Jacob doesn't boast, "I have seen God and have been found worthy," or "I have wrestled God and prevailed." He doesn't celebrate his "victory" or his blessing, but he realizes the grace of God that preserved Him rather than destroying him.

The day has broken, so Jacob goes forward to meet Esau. Limping. Hip out of joint. The constant reminder, step by step, that he is fully and totally dependent upon God. God preserved him. God blessed him. God is his sustainer and will be with him even in this meeting with Esau.

All of our self-sufficiency, our pride, our desire to do things on our own...it must be laid down at the foot of the cross. We must depend fully and only on the Lord. Like Jacob, we must take each step recognizing the preserving grace of God, acknowledging his presence and power in our lives.

We must recognize the price paid by Jesus in order to bring about this reconciliation. What a gift! What a God!

(Please note: these thoughts are a culmination of the material that was shared with me, especially the New Geneva Study Bible study notes and the conference and sermon materials).