We continue with Jacob as he and his family are following God’s direction to return home. He fears a hostile greeting from his brother, Esau. Jacob has already come before God in prayer, reminding himself of God’s promises to prosper him. He has come thankfully and humbly to God earlier in Genesis 32 asking for protection from Esau as he continues to follow God’s instruction. Jacob has further developed and put into motion a plan to appease Esau by sending him gifts and servants ahead of his meeting with Jacob. As we continue in Genesis 32:24-32, we see Jacob wrestling with God .

    24Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” 29Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. 30So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.” 31Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh. 32Therefore, to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew of the hip.

Based on the injury to Jacob this wrestling may have been a physical encounter, but we can say with confidence that it has spiritual significance. Jacob was wrestling with God… agonizing in prayer throughout the night as he sought God’s blessing. If it were just about a physical wrestling match, God would have beaten Jacob quite handily if that had been His desire. It would not be a contest.

Jacob is not wrestling with God in rebellion. He has just demonstrated obedience and faith in God by following God’s instructions even when returning home made Jacob fearful. In fact, Jacob is wrestling with God seeking His blessing. He is desperate to be assured of God’s blessing. Without it he feels afraid and helpless against Esau. Jacob is desperately depending on God as he follows God’s directions in his life.

God does not rebuke Jacob, but rather the new name He bestows upon him actually honors Jacob’s persistence. Jacob received his name at birth because he ^“…came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel” [Genesis 25:26]. This turns out to be a good indicator of Jacob’s life before submitting to God…always plotting and scheming to get ahead, even within his own family. Now Jacob receives a new name, more representative of his personal growth in relationship and submission to God.

28He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.”

I believe the only way we prevail when struggling with God and men is by obeying God and doing as He instructs… by trusting God above all men or situations we face. This was not just a struggle representing a single decision for Jacob, but rather the culmination of his turning away from his prior life of deception and submitting his life to obey God over many years. God granting Jacob a new name is essentially an outward representation that Jacob has died to his old self and been reborn in a life of submission to God.

The injury appears to serve as a physical reminder for Jacob and for generations of Israelites that followed to remember this change within Jacob’s life.

When I read this scripture, I can identify very much with the idea of wrestling between my own sin nature which wants to believe Satan’s lies and deception, and my desire to obey and live for God. I pray that in wrestling with God, I am persistent in seeking His blessing and direction for my life but never wrestling with Him out of disobedience or rebellion. I pray that I prevail over the ways of men and live fully submitted to God having been reborn in the name of Jesus Christ.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.