Wrestling with God!

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” Genesis 32:28

This is an amazing story of God interacting with Jacob who was returning to his homeland and was terrified that Esau, his brother, would kill him and his family.

When Jacob stopped to set up camp he was met by angels and he exclaimed “This is God’s camp”. 

Jacob sent a peace offering of his livestock ahead to Esau hoping this would help make for a peaceful reunion with his brother.

 Jacob also sent his family and all his possessions ahead and stayed in his camp. During the night, God came in the form of a man and they wrestled all night. Jacob would not let go of the man so he dislocated Jacob’s hip.

The man told Jacob it is now morning and he must leave. Jacob told the man he would not release him until he blessed him. The man would not reveal his name to Jacob but he blessed him and gave him the name Israel.

 Jacob knew this man was of God and he was determined to hold on to Him for protection. It wasn’t really necessary for Jacob to wrestle with the man. He just needed to trust that God (the man) was with Him and that no weapon formed against him would prosper.

Jacob lost sight of the everlasting covenant God had made with him in the past and was reacting in fear and doubt.

The highlight in this story is Jacob knew his only hope for survival was God and he was determined to cling to God.

God made his point by dislocating Jacob’s hip. He was reinforcing the spiritual principle “that it is not by might nor by strength but by the Spirit of God”.

Jacob fought with God by not understanding His ways and this lead him down a difficult path filled with conflict. He also fought with his family over the ownership of his birthright and blessing from Issac. Jacob prevailed because God became his sanctuary and turned defeat into victory.

It doesn’t really do any good to wrestle with God to try and get your way. You can’t change God’s mind! You can only rest under His canopy and cling to Him. Jacob won because of God. It was not of his doing.

Come before God with faith in His mighty and powerful name. Stay anchored to God and His promises and He will fight your battles for you!

The post script to this story is Jacob and Esau had a heartfelt and joyful reunion. God is good!

Thought for the day: “Your life will be difficult when you have conflict with Me or live in doubt. Accept Me for who I am and I will fight your battles for you and you will see My glory and power. There is no one like Me.”