Learning From OT Greats: Jacob – Wrestling With PurposeSample

Day 4: Jacob at Penial 

Thoughts on the Passage

Jacob comes face to face with God – and, with himself.

Jacob continues to try to “fix his situation” on his own. He has many ideas – many of them good from a human perspective. Still, in the end, Jacob knows that his plans are futile unless God steps in and helps. If Esau, his brother, wants to kill him and his family, then there is nothing that Jacob can do. So Jacob sends everyone across the river and he stays – alone. It is there, that a stranger (God Himself) wrestles with Jacob all night. 

First, Jacob is old – about 90 years old – and to wrestle all night is very impressive. It takes unbelievable stamina, will power and strength to never give up.

Second, God is not interested in a fight – He easily wins. He wants Jacob to stop being the scheming man who tries to fix everything on his own. So God touches Jacob – and destroys his strength. What does God want? He wants to release a destiny and a blessing. 

Third, God wants to give Jacob exactly what he wants – a blessing. However, God will not give it to a schemer. Jacob is fighting for it but God is waiting for Jacob to stop trying to fix things on his own.

Fourth, God wants Jacob to admit his failure. God does this by asking Jacob his name – “What is your name”. My name is Jacob – I am a supplanter, a thief.

Now God can do something. 

God says something that is absolutely amazing. God does not see him as Jacob (the thief), God sees him as Israel (Prince with God). Jacob lived his life living down to his name. God does not see him that way. God sees Jacob as a prince that strives with God and man – and wins! He wins, not because he has manipulated God, but because he humbled himself and acknowledged his weaknesses and failures. His past is striving with men, and winning  by scheming. God has shown him that in the end, it was not due to his work, but by God intervening on his behalf that everything came to Jacob. That is why he had victory.

Application to our Lives

Is there something that God wants to release – but is waiting for you to humble your heart?
Is there a name man has given to you- but it is not the name God has given to you? Which name do you believe?

Time to Pray

Father, I see you pushing Jacob into a corner that he cannot find a way out of. He has answers for every other problem, but not this one. He cannot escape Esau and his 400 men. Finally, You catch Jacob – and he fights You! Father, I see it all the time in myself and others. When You wedge us in tight, we fight rather than call upon You. When we struggle, we blame You. 

Today, I will take time and see what it is that You are speaking to me. I will choose to wait and listen before I act. I want to work diligently – like Jacob did – but I want it to be the result of a clear understanding that I am striving, not by my own plans, but with Your plan. In Jesus name, Amen.