There are things in the Bible that are … peculiar. A talking donkey. People 900 years old. A prophet swallowed by a fish. Ezekiel’s “street-theater” messages including lying on his side for more than a year. A day when the sun stood still. Jesus healing a blind man with spit and mud.
And then there’s this wrestling scene:
“Jacob was left alone and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the Man saw that He could not defeat him, He struck Jacob’s hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip. Then He said to Jacob, ‘Let Me go, for it is daybreak.’
But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’
‘What is your name?’ the Man asked.
‘Jacob,’ he replied.
‘Your name will no longer be Jacob. It will be Israel because you have grappled with God and with men and have prevailed.’ … And He blessed him there” Genesis 32:24-29.
We don’t have a play-by-play, but somehow Jacob finds himself wrestling all night long. At some point, he realizes he is literally wrestling with God. Somehow the God of the universe has come in a vision or something, and decided what Jacob really needs is a good all-night wrestling match to humble him and prepare him for his new name. The name ISRAEL can be defined as “he who wrestles with God,” “he who wins with God,” or “he who turns God’s head,” in the sense of when Israel prays, God listens.[1]
Have you ever wrestled with God? Have you fought for something? Have you prayed without giving up? Have you prayed with guts and boldness and determination, insisting God bless you and meet that need? Why not?
You cannot drain God’s energy. He will never get tired out! He’s ready to wrestle with you! It is we who get lazy and walk away. DON’T GIVE UP! DIG! FIGHT! Work hard for your spiritual growth. Jesus wrestled with the Father many times, often praying all night long. Why don’t we?
God, teach us—CALL US—to wrestle with you!
Household Words: 