Genesis 32:26 “26Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.””
Why did Jacob wrestle so zealously with the angel here in Genesis 32?
If your name meant “deceiver” and you essentially stole your fathers blessing for your elder brother, you’d have an identity uphill battle each day.
So when, in Genesis 32, Esau is coming to you and you separate all your possessions and family from himself to face Esau alone if need be…
You have a great spiritual intersection opportunity.
And GOD makes that happen. So Jacob we find is alone, a human manifestation wrestles with him through the night.
But why?
He has prayed to GOD to deliver him and his family from the wrath of Esau whom he tricked.
Then a “stranger”, “an angel”, a “man” just shows up and wrestles with Jacob till dawn.
So Jacob, burdened with a name that meant deceiver
and with the fear that his deception
…which tricked his brother might mean death for him and his family…he wrestles zealously!
But why wouldn’t he let the angel go? Why did he refuse to do so?
I believe that Jacob realized this was a supernatural encounter. Perhaps never to be repeated.
So if I’m Jacob, I’d see this as only way to get a direct blessing from GOD!
The only way to distance himself from the deceiver label, perhaps his own guilt as well and trying to save his own life.
So I submit to you that his wrestling zeal had much to do with distancing himself from his current label which!
WHICH GOD does by changing his name to Israel!
“One who struggles with GOD”. Note Jacob didn’t win, but it was that he struggled and didn’t give up.
His wrestling partner permanently puts his hip out of joint to show the power and sovereignty of GOD.
So we too must strive forward for and to see GOD… by serving HIM relentlessly.
Amen and amen!
2CJC 