Jacob

 

The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When 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. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore 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. (Genesis 32:22-32 ESV).

 

Jacob was in a difficult position, and it was mostly his own fault. After deceiving his brother, Esau, Jacob had fled for his life to go and live with his uncle, Laban, in Harran. Now, many years later, Jacob was on his way back home, and he was expecting to meet Esau again (cf. Genesis 27-31). Jacob plotted and planned how he might smooth things over with Esau. Finally, in desperation and fear, he cried out to God, “Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack” (Genesis 32:11).

 

The next night, as Jacob waited alone, a stranger came to wrestle with him till dawn. It left Jacob injured but blessed by God. God marked that event by giving Jacob a new name: Israel, meaning “he struggles with God.”

 

Are you wrestling with God and struggling sin in your life? You may be asking, “Does God really care for me?” Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). God sees us; he sees our pride, our selfishness, and our lack of love for others. He also knows when we feel left out. What’s more, God knows who we are in Christ. Through Jesus we are forgiven and reconciled with God. We are given new life and called to be faithful. This is the conclusion of the birth of Jesus!