Lessons To Be Learned When You Wrestle With God?

​Genesis 32:24-30 -Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until day-break. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.  Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, " I will not let you go unless you bless me."  So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."  He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him and said, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And he blessed him there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, " I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved." NASU 

• A Theophany Happened Here 

A theophany is the visible appearance of God to a human and that is exactly what we have here. We have God appearing as a man and wrestling with Jacob. God has to cover Himself in this way or His very appearance would result in whoever sees Him dying.
 
Exodus 33:20 - But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" 

• A Wrestling Match Happened Here 

I like how The Message has translated verse 28 - The man said, "But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it's Israel (God-Wrestler; you've wrestled with God and you've come through." (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
 
Jacob was the God-wrestler. We likewise need to be God-wrestlers. There is only one catch it is going to hurt. You don't wrestle with God without learning something of great importance and suffering comes along with this match.
 
What I have found and generally not immediately but sometimes weeks, months or years later while remembering this wrestling match with God you will be able to recall some very valuable life lessons. 

• A Blessing Will Be Coming 

One thing I noticed about Jacob was he had to endure some suffering before he received the blessing. God touched him and his hip was immediately dislocated. However, he didn't let go. He didn't quit. In fact, he states, "I will not let go unless you bless me."
 
It might surprise you how much pain you can endure before you receive a blessing. 

• What Was The Blessing 

What exactly was the blessing?
 
His name was changed from Jacob, which means supplanter, to Israel, which means he will rule as God. Jacob reaped what he sowed as his Uncle Laban will teach him all about taking what doesn't belong to you.
If you recall the story 20 years earlier Jacob had deceived his father, Isaac, and stole Esau's birthright. Esau said he was going to kill Jacob. So Jacob fled to his uncle Laban's house and had been there for 20 years.
 
He is now on his way back home and he is going to meet his brother Esau. The night before they meet God meets with Jacob and they have their famous all-night wrestling match.
 
The mistake he made 20 years ago is now just that in the past. He will have a fresh start with a new name, a new relationship with his brother, Esau and with his God. 

• What About You? 

Are you looking for a blessing from God?
 
Well, you might have to wrestle Him all-night long. Please remember this, Jacob endured the pain before he received the blessing.
 
Stay in there!
 
Don't Give Up!
 
Wait On The Blessing!
 
Always remember we are under construction and God isn't finished with us yet.
 
He has a blessing for you. All you have to do is be like Jacob and don't let go until God gives you the blessing.
 
Think About This:
 
God Still Speaks To Those Who Will Take Time To Listen.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word