At this point in the story of Jacob something very strange but very important happens, and it is very significant that it happens at this point. In the first part of chapter 32 we saw that, as Esau approaches Jacob with an army of men to attack him, for the first time on record, Jacob prays. He fears attack at any moment. And then he is attacked, but not by Esau. God comes to him in the form of a man and wrestles with him until daybreak. Jacob has prayed to God for the first time, and God turns up and wrestles with him. What is going on? The first clue is that Jacob prevails in this wrestling match, though it is clear that God allows this (since he is able to dislocate his hip with a mere touch). Secondly, Jacob gets his blessing but only by holding on to the man and not letting go until he agrees to bless him. Until now, Jacob has been blessed automatically. Now, however, he must hold on to God and prevail upon him to receive this blessing. Jacob is learning what Abraham learned in Genesis 18:16-33. This is a picture of prayer. God wants to bless his people. But to obtain this blessing we must wrestle with God in faith through appeals and supplications. This makes us an active party in the relationship and strengthens our connection with God in the process. There is an invitation here to be persistent in prayer; to hold on to the promises of God and not let go until we see them fulfilled in our lives.
Pray for some area of need.
Read Genesis 32:22-32
