Jacob was solved one family issue(Laban), and has planned for solving another(Esau). He sent his entire family and servants across the Jabbok ford, and he stayed behind. An abrupt change happens here. Out of nowhere, Jacob is wrestling with a Man. It is widely understood that this was an appearance of Jesus Christ in preincarnate form. This is confirmed in Jacob’s words in verse 30, “…for I have seen God….” We see a man desperate for answers and blessing here, as Jacob tells God that he will not let Him go until He blesses him. The Man had already put Jacob’s hip out of socket, but Jacob’s hold was tenacious. Now, we know that God is all-powerful, and cannot be held by a man. However, in the spirit realm, God gives us the ability to intercede, and access into the throne room to such a degree that we can prevail over our circumstances and live in victory. God gave Jacob the opportunity to show his mettle and his faith by wrestling with him.
Another interesting development in this story is the fact that God changed Jacob’s name. Jacob means “supplanter” or “deceiver.” God was giving Jacob a new name, calling him Israel, which means “prince with God.” Because Jacob was chosen of God to develop the multitudinous nation of the Abrahamic covenant, and because of his great faith while wrestling God, he went from a cheat and a trickster to being designated as a prince. What a great change! Faith in God will change you! Believe in Him and you will be transformed. That is the message of the gospel! One other aspect of the wrestling-with-God incident is how Jacob walked with a limp after leaving Peniel (translated “Face of God”). While that may not seem to be a desired outcome of a faith experience, it reminds me of the experiences of the prophets who had visions and dreams of God. Once they had been caught up into heaven or been spoken to directly by the Spirit of the Lord, they were never the same, and the world thought they were madmen. However, they had seen truth personified, and were actually more sane that those who heard their prophetic words. Jacob’s limp was not only a reminder of his wrestling match with God, but also a new existence that emerged from his encounter with the Divine that became his new normal. Don’t be afraid of the change that God brings to your life.
The final point of this story is the reunion of Jacob and Esau. Even though Jacob still had some trepidation about the reunion–since Esau vowed to kill him when they parted company–he was better prepared for the encounter because he had been with God. No matter what danger or tension we face ahead of us, we can be at ease if we first spend time with God. Get with God, wrestle with Him if necessary, and understand that–just like with Esau and Jacob–God will prepare the way before you if you trust Him. Have faith in God!
Devoted To You 