It had been over two decades since Jacob saw his brother, Esau. Two decades since he had been home. Last he had seen Esau, Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of his father when his brother returned from hunting. But it was too late. Jacob had deceived Isaac, cloaked under an animal skin, and stole the blessing reserved for the eldest son. With bitter tears, Esau sought to grasp after what was now out of his reach, crying out: “Bless me, even me also, O my father!“. Esau’s tears had soon turned to violent hatred, and his only comfort became thoughts of revenge. Rebekah, the boys’ mother, had quickly told Jacob to flee until Esau’s anger had abated. So, Jacob set out.

While journeying to Haran, the sun began to set. Taking a stone, Jacob put it under his head and laid down to rest. He had dreamed that night of a ladder set up on the earth, with the top of it reaching the heavens. The angels of God had descended and ascended upon it. God spoke to Jacob within the dream, affirming that the blessing promised to his forefather, Abraham, would continue through his line. A blessing and a promise: that God would keep him, never leave him, and bring him back to the land of his forefathers one day. After Jacob awoke, he took the stone from under his head and anointed it with oil, calling the place: Bethel (“the house of God”), saying: “Surely the LORD was in this place and I did not know it!” (32:16). 

Soon after, Jacob arrived to the East. For over two decades, he had served Laban, his uncle. Seven years of hard labor in the fields for Rachel, his daughter. Deceitfully, Laban gave the elder sister, Sarah, instead. Jacob served seven more years for Rachel. His family grew and he continued to work in the fields as a shepherd. God blessed him and multiplied him greatly. Then, one day, God spoke to Jacob in another dream — instructing him to rise and return to the land of his kindred. Rachel, Sarah, their many children, servants, flocks, and herds had followed in tow. The last time he had been home, Esau sought to murder him. What awaited him there now?

Jacob went on his way and sent messengers ahead to greet his brother. Esau and 400 men were waiting. Greatly distressed and afraid of what may happen, Jacob had cried out to God for deliverance. How could he face his own flesh? The one he had deceived and stole from so many years ago? His brother had sought the blessing with tears, but nothing was given to him. This trickster was absolutely cornered, completely at the end of himself. 

Sending his family and all his possessions across the Jaboc, Jacob was left alone. The sun had set over this quiet wilderness. Quite suddenly, he found himself in an encounter described as “wrestling with God”. With stubborn determination, Jacob did not relent in this match, resolved to acquire a blessing from this heavenly stranger. After a dark, tense night, the morning light began to break. Jacob’s muscles were weak from the primal state of focus that had washed over him. Then — with a mere, purposeful touch, the man put Jacob’s hip out of joint. A painful and debilitating blow. With a strained breath, Jacob cried: “I will not let you go until you bless me!” (Gen. 32:26). 

Face to face, the man’s eyes were like a flame of fire (Revelation 19:12), nothing was hidden from him. His voice was like a sword, piercing Jacob’s soul and laying him bare with one simple question: “What is your name?” (Gen 32:27). Jacob discerned this man knew who he really was. A deceiver. Jacob’s heart felt as crippled as his hip. Any props of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency were knocked out completely. “I am Jacob“, he replied. 

Then, in the place of absolute crippling — God blessed him. 

With a humbled heart and a limp, Jacob then asked: “Please, tell me your name“. A request that revealed great boldness. “Why is it that you ask my name?” The man answered. A response that might leave one in silent introspection with lingering desire to further engage, curious to become more deeply acquainted with the one he had so closely been wrestling with. Jacob called the place: Penial, for he saw God face to face, and yet his life was delivered.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are instructed: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to His will and good pleasure” (Phil 2:12-13). For those wrestling within the darkness, hold onto this promise: “those who look to God will never be put to shame” (Psalm 34:5). You have looked to God, because he has turned your gaze. You wrestle because he works within you. Be encouraged, He delights in this work!

For those hesitant to engage with the Living Word, what keeps you from wrestling?

Painting by: Bartholomeus Breenbergh