Jacob’s wrestling match is a graphic depiction of prayer. It is very significant that it was in the context of this event that God changed Jacob’s name to ‘Israel’. Jacob means “deceiver” and that is what Jacob was. At this point in the story, because he had deceived his brother and taken his inheritance, he is about to receive his ‘just desserts’ as Esau approaches with an army. However, as Esau approaches Jacob prays. After this comes the account of the ‘man’ who wrestles with Jacob until daybreak. The man’s attack on Jacob probably symbolises the judgement that Jacob deserved. However, by God’s grace Jacob prevails in the wrestle and he says to the man, “I will not let you go unless you bless me”. Blessing is what Jacob needed right then. He needed God to transform his situation and that is exactly what happens as a result of Jacob’s wrestling match. But what changes? Yes, Esau will forgive Jacob, but most importantly Jacob’s record as the ‘deceiver’ is wiped clean. He is forgiven. To signify this change, his name is changed from Jacob, meaning ‘deceiver’, to Israel, meaning, ‘he struggles/wrestles with God’. This will become the name of the nation that will come from him. In other words, God’s people will, from hereon be identified as ‘those who wrestle with God’. That is what distinguishes us. We are a people whom God has taken hold of and who prevail upon him for his blessing. We are a praying people who receive from God by grace through persistent faith in Jesus Christ who is God in human form.
Ask for God’s forgiveness for specific areas of your life.
Read Genesis 32:22-32 again
