And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
Genesis 32:24 (ESV)
Jacob had stolen his brother’s blessing (Gen. 27:1-40) and had to flee to his mother’s family (Gen. 27:41-28:5). After twenty years of serving Laban, his mother’s brother, he was returning home with four wives, a dozen children, and great wealth in the form of herds and flocks.
But there was a problem. The brother he had wronged was heading his way with 400 men. Jacob was frightened and took what measures he could to appease Esau. But would it be enough?
Jacob found himself alone the night before Esau arrived, having sent everyone else on ahead. At least Jacob had thought himself to be alone. Suddenly, he found himself in a wrestling match that lasted until dawn (Gen. 32:22-32). Who was he wrestling with? The text does not say. However, Jacob’s reaction afterward made it clear he believed it to be God.
This is a strange and confusing story that raises many questions. But what is significant is that Jacob received a new name at the end of the wrestling match. His name was Jacob, variously understood as heel-grabber or deceiver. His new name was Israel, representing one who struggles with God. And this is the name his descendants took for themselves as a people group.
Be Persistent in Prayer
What is the significance of this event? Jacob struggled with God and prevailed. He didn’t give up. He persisted until he received God’s blessing (Gen. 32:29). And his life was changed.
I have never had a physical wrestling match with God, and I know of no one else who has. But we do have a record of another who wrestled with God, this time in prayer. Colossians 4:12 tells us of Epaphras, who Paul said was always wrestling in prayer for the Colossian believers. This same thought is found in the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8), where Jesus taught us to always pray and not give up.
Are you facing a crisis in your life like Jacob? Or burdened with concern for others like Epaphras? Or have anything else that is heavy on your heart? Take it to God in prayer. Wrestle with him. And he will bless your persistence.
