Scripture:
“This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!’
But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’
‘What is your name?’ the man asked.
He replied, ‘Jacob.’
‘Your name will no longer be Jacob,’ the man told him. ‘From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.’
‘Please tell me your name,’ Jacob said.
‘Why do you want to know my name?’ the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, ‘I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared’.” Genesis 32:24-30 (NLT)
Perspective:
Jacob desired to be blessed and he would do anything to receive that blessing. He took the birthright blessing from his brother Esau by tricking his father into blessing him. He had spent his life bargaining to receive blessings. He thought Esau was the one standing in his way as his older brother. He had been on the run from Esau, but he still struggled to receive that which he needed. He knew that a meeting with Esau was coming when he crossed back over into Canaan. He sent his family ahead, and his alone time on the other side of the river opened the opportunity for a unique experience. Jacob wrestled with a man until dawn. He knew that there was something undeniably special about this situation and refused to release his grip until he received the blessing from God that he desired. This man wanted to be blessed more than anything. He understood what that meant for himself and his family. Jacob’s hip was dislocated in the fight but he still wouldn’t let go. He fought for the blessing, and God granted it to him by changing his name.
Have you ever wrestled with God? We may not have had the physical experience that Jacob had, but we can relate to the struggle and anguish that can come through coming to terms with God’s plan for our lives. Yet, sometimes we let our past mistakes or decisions prevent us from pursuing what God desires to bring into our lives. Jacob’s past was tarnished by deception and manipulation. Even so, Jacob looked ahead to his future instead of his past. In order to receive God’s blessings to the fullest capacity, it requires us to let go of our past and look ahead to the future God has promised. It may require a season of wrestling with God day after day until you receive what He has promised. Stay in the fight. Don’t give up. In that spirit of determination, God shows up and gives what we could never even imagined.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
[separator_small separator_width=” thickness=” up=” down=”]
About Hona Amer
I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.
[separator_small separator_width=” thickness=” up=” down=”]
