Genesis 32:22-32

Jacob

Jacob Wrestles with God and Becomes Israel

 

32:22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.

 

23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions.

 

24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.

 

25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.

 

26 Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."

 

But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

 

27 The man asked him, "What is your name?"

 

"Jacob," he answered.

 

28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

 

29 Jacob said, "Please tell me your name."

 

But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.

 

30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

 

31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.

 

32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob's hip was touched near the tendon.

---

---

This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

---

---

Commentary by Bob Pardue

Jacob meets and wrestles with God

Jacob wanted to be blessed by God so was persistent and kept going until God agreed.

God wants us to be persistent in areas of our lives; even in the spiritual realm.

For instance, if you are praying for a need in your life, don't just pray once and give up. Pray every day, or many times a day.

Be more like the child who keeps asking for a certain item while riding in a shopping cart. He doesn't stop at one, two, or even three attempts. He keeps on asking until you either give in or leave the store.

Ask God to answer your prayers and be persistent! He may not always answer in the way you like but at least He will know you are serious.

Prayer is only one of the areas for persistence. Where do you need to be more persistent in your spiritual life?

Love in Christ

- Bob

Comments are welcome. Please email me with any questions or comments you may have.

Genesis 32:1-21 - Jacob and Esau Plan to Meet Again - Jacob was afraid of Esau. And, with good reason. He had stolen just about everything Esau owned and he (Esau) promised to kill Jacob twenty years ago. All Jacob had left was to pray.