Scripture Reading(s)
Genesis 32:22-31
32:22 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
32:23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
32:24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
32:25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
32:26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”
32:27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”
32:28 Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.”
32:29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.
32:30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.”
32:31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Reflections
How often do we wrestle with things that God is trying to place on our hearts and use to get our attention. God is often times trying to call us back to Him whether its through being convicted of our sin, letting go of our pride, renewing our love for Him. Whatever the case may be, God is always in the business of trying to draw us closer into a deeper relationship with Him.
Take the time to think about the last time God was tugging at your heart to let go of your love for something that was taking the place of your love for Him. I recall a time in my life when I was struggling to let go of my anxieties over getting through university. During my last year I was faced with an overwhelming work load and I had myself convinced that this was something that I would not be able to handle. The underlying issue was not my schooling, it was my anxiety. For a long time I have always struggled with fully trusting God with my worries and trying to handle situations on my own.
That has always been a hard lesson for me to learn. There have been moments in my life when I am still faced with that same struggle and thankfully by God’s Grace He has given me the tools that I need to find victory over worry and anxiety. Sometimes it takes a period of wrestling in order for us to completely and fully surrender everything to God. However, the outcome is always worth it because in the end we experience God more intimately and in a are drawn closer to Him.
The legend of Jacob wrestling the angel is so well known that alternate versions of the story exist even in non-Jewish literature. It’s the singular event that changed his name from Jacob to Israel which is ultimately the name passed down to God’s chosen people. What I find interesting in this story is that it’s told in a way that makes it seem as though Jacob was the one in control, as he was able to retain the angel until daybreak. However, Jacob recognizes that it was God who preserved his life.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.”
Even though Jacob was able to obtain an upper hand on the angel he recognized that it was only because he was allowed to. This is humility and showing respect. Humility towards God is recognizing that He is the one that allows all things and preserves all things.
The Psalmist often states that “the fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom.” This is advise inline with the story of Jacob. We are wise to respect and fear the Lord and live humbly according to the commands of the Lord.