S160P1 – A man by any other name: Jacob
Gen. 32:24-28
And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
Jacob was a contender. In the context of men, the picture is clear. We only need read the scriptures to see the accounts of how he prevailed over Esau and Laban. He began as a deceiver but changed to a man who looked to God for direction and help. He became a man who sought the Lord for what he needed, which is the picture we see here. This passage is clear that Jacob has not striven merely with a man here but with God. He held on for a blessing not from a person but from the Lord. He went away alone to contend for what he needed and what only God could give him, and he would not let go of God until he received that blessing.
The idea of wrestling or contending with God can seem like the wrong thing to do, and the conclusion that Jacob was victorious in that respect seems impossible. What we must understand that this is not about a man fighting the will of God or the power of God and winning. After all, it was Jacob who left the battle scarred. Although he was contending with God he was not contending against God. They were not adversaries here. This is a man loved by the Lord who was chasing the Lord for a blessing. He was willing to fight as hard and as long as he needed to receive that favor. Despite his injury, he continued until he gained that prize. He did not beat God, but he prevailed in persevering until he received that which he sought.
This passage always makes me think of the poor persistent widow who would not leave the judge alone. She kept after him until she received the justice she needed. She was not fighting against the judge but was asking for something only he could give her. Because of her persistence, she prevailed in her request. We are not God’s adversaries, but we will wrestle with him just as Jacob did. The question is whether we will do the same by holding on to the Lord and contending for the favor we know only God can give us. The alternative is to walk away empty handed. Father, give us the perseverance and drive of Jacob, that we would hold on and fight for the blessings and favor we need and which can come only from You.