| Subject: Genesis 32 vss 24-30 Post 164 |
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Hillbilly
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Date Posted: 21:16:09 10/28/11 Fri
Genesis 32:24-30 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Jacob has sent his entire family toward Esau and is now alone as night descends. What happens next has been greatly mis-portrayed by a very many people. If you have ever seen this event depicted in paintings you have probably seen an angel and Jacob in a wrestling match. They are both grappling for holds to best their opponent and the outcome is unsure in the painting. My personal belief is that this could not be any further from the truth. Twice in the passage we are given substantive evidence that the wrestling is between Jacob and God. You don't do choke holds, half and full Nelsons and body slams on God. Even if he does appear as a theophany. The wrestling is a test of wills and on Jacob's part becomes a contending with God in prayer.
In verse 28 we see Jacob's name being changed from Jacob to Israel. The name Israel means "power with God" as the verse says. There are several variations in the translation but when the Bible itself gives the meaning of a word or name we would do well to stick with the Bible's own definition. His name was changed from "supplanter" which is what Jacob means "power with God". Another possible translation is "heel holder" which was what Jacob did when he was born(Gen. 25:26). He had grabbed hold of Esau's heel and evidently was holding on for all he was worth. Here he will grab and hold on to the feet of the pre-incarnate Christ while he pleads with HIm.
Jacob knew he was not wrestling with an ordinary man, In verse 26 Jacob refuses to let his opponent go unless he blesses him. Jacob knew this man had the power to bless him as no ordinary man could. That Jacob was actually contending with God leads me to the conclusion that the "wrestling match" was more of a holding on by Jacob and pleading with God than physical wrestling.
Little that was said during the night is given but to use a bit of literary license we might surmise the conversation had elements that went somewhat as this:
"What is your name?"
"Jacob"
"What are you doing here Jacob".
"I told you my name now who are you?"
"Never mind about that, just answer the question." "What are you doing here alone Jacob?"
Well, I've got myself in a mess and I am between a rock and a hard place. My daddy in law will kill me if I go back and my brother is going to kill me if I go forward."
"Where is your family, servants and flocks?"
"Er, uh, well it's like this. I sent them on ahead to see what my brother would do. I sent a huge present to him in hopes of appeasing him but I don't know what the outcome will be. I divided my family up in case my brother attack. At least maybe this way some will escape"
"Why are you not with them?"
(Jacob drops his head in silence) Jacob was forced to confront he was not leading his family bravely but left them to face his brother without him. Esau's quarrel was with Jacob. Not his family.
Deep shame and remorse can lead to a turning point in a person's life. I think Jacob reached bottom that night and looked up to the only One who could help him. He recognized in this man the one who spoke from the top of the ladder 20 years back (Gen. 28:12)
God had his attention and now Jacob was ready to seek God with all his heart.
I can see the possibility of the desperation in Jacob's life as day began to break and the visitor told him it was time for him to leave. Jacob dove and grabbed Him by the feet and held on. "My God and Lord you have to help me. Please bless me and help me. I have no one else to turn to."
"Let go of me".
"No!"
"Let go I say, the day is breaking".
"I will not let go unless you bless me!"
At this point the finger of God touches Jacob's thigh and Jacob probably let out a scream at the pain but he would not let go. He had a hold on God and he was not about to let go. Oh that we might have the tenacity to wrestle with God in prayer for our needs and not let go until we hear from God.
This is where God wanted to see Jacob. Broken and ready to be re-molded. into a useful vessel. God had already promised him he would take care of him and bring him back to the land of his nativity. The land he had promised to Abraham's seed, Isaac's seed and now Jacob's seed. It was always a matter of Jacob trusting and serving God. Jacob had to realize he couldn't achieve everything on his own but He had to have God in his life to depend on also.
"Ok, Jacob, I will bless you and to show you I will be with you I am changing your name." "From now on you will be called Israel instead of Jacob because as if you were one of my princes you have power with me." God also left Jacob with a token of remembrance. Just a little touch from the finger of God left him permanently lame for that touch dis-jointed his leg from his thigh socket .
Jacob's life was forever changed by this meeting and although he was still a sinner he had a new and permanent relationship with God.
This is as God would have it with us. Every child of God faces trials and troubles in this life. None are exempt. Some get the feeling that when they are saved and belong to God everything will be rosy from then on. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is in the valleys of trials and temptation that we gain experience and grow. We are led to the point at times when there is no one to turn but to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We look ahead at the mountain we must now climb and we despair in the seeming impossibility of it. We look back and suddenly we see where Jesus has carried us through other trials that at the time seemed just as insurmountable. Our faith grows as it dawns on us that if Jesus did it before He can certainly do it again. The more trials overcome the greater the victory. The victory is not ours but our Lord's. We have done nothing but surrender to Him and He has done the rest. That dark night we remember doesn't now look as dark as then. We are now walking in the Light of Jesus.
Jacob now has the strength to go and face what he must face realizing finally he is not alone. We can do the same.
Jacob's final words were "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." As a memorial to his experience Jacob names the place Peniel "THE FACE OF GOD". Jacob could not believe in his good fortune. He had looked into the face of the theophany of God. Not only that but he had grabbed him by the feet and held on as he pleaded with Him. Jacob's pleas to God were as earnest a prayer as he would every pray. Jacob could not believe his good fortune and blessing. He had seen and touched the living God and yet was still alive. Jacob was now ready to meet his brother!
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