Wrestle



Genesis 32:22-32
22The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
23He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had.
24And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
26Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”
28Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
29Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.
30So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”
31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
32Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.

Jacob has struggled throughout his life with various people. First he struggled with Esau to see who would emerge first from the womb and later for the birthright. As an adult, he struggles with his father for the blessing of the oldest child, then with Laban for property and wealth and now finally he wrangles with God Himself. This wrestling match is the pinnacle of struggles, ending with a name change and a lifelong limp. This personal encounter with God leaves him forever a different man, both physically and spiritually.

There has been much discussion over the centuries of just exactly who this mystery combatant might be. Clearly, from the text itself we learn that Jacob though it was God. He names the location of the wrestling match “Peniel” which means “face of God.” It would appear that God (Jesus) appears to Jacob in human form and allows Himself the weaknesses associated with mere human strength. It would be ridiculous to imagine that God is not stronger than a man. But He apparently chooses to level the playing field in order for Jacob to learn this lesson although in the end, it takes merely a touch from God to put Jacob’s hip out of joint – for the rest of his life. When we tangle with God, we are forever changed. God also changes Jacob’s name to Israel, thus we have the Children of Israel. Israel means “he struggles with God.” A fitting change.

Many have asked me over the years if it is okay to struggle with God – to be angry with Him and argue with Him. The answer is always a resounding “yes.” Of course God is big enough to take your anger or your frustration. It’s always the right thing to do when you are sharing your honest feelings and thoughts with Him. But from this story we learn that when we wrangle with God, He will bring about the changes that need to happen in our lives. We will be altered according to His will for us. I would gladly limp for my entire life if it were God’s way of changing my character and drawing me into His will.

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