24 So Jacob WAS LEFT ALONE, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. Genesis 32
The Torah reading for this coming Sabbath commences at Genesis 32:3 where Jacob is about to re-enter the land of Canaan and meet his brother Esau again. At the beginning of the account he fears for his own safety and all those with him when he learns Esau is approaching with a large force of men. (Actually 400 men, the same size as the group who were with David when he met Abigail. 1 Samuel 25:13) Jacob began to prepare for the meeting, by organising small groups to go ahead, each with a gift of livestock for his estranged brother and Jacob also prayed and reminded God of His promise to him.
11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, “I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.” Genesis 32
Many devout and devoted people may have thought that Jacob, ever the strategist, had done everything he could to prepare for the reconciliation with his twin brother. On the physical level that was true, but a much more unexpected confrontation awaited him, one he was to face alone. Jacob sent everyone and everything he had across the ford of the Jabbok. He was left completely alone on the Eastern side and he wrestled with a man through the night until dawn.
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.’ Genesis 32
Jacob was about to cross over into the place/land of his inheritance, but before he could enter into it he had to wrestle with someone who had the authority to bless him. Jacob was a different man after that meeting, in fact even his name changed to mark the struggle. He left the confrontation in a lot of pain but with a new God given promise over his future.
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.’ Genesis 32
Jacob met with God before he left Canaan (Bethel, House of God) and right before he came back into it, he met with God again. This speaks to me of the Believer’s initial salvation and then times of trial and refining. For those who continue to walk in God’s ways they may find themselves stripped of everything and left alone with God, before they can finally step into their full inheritance. God is faithful, but we too have to be conformed to the image of Christ to serve His Kingdom here on earth. Jacob was a very determined individual, but God gave a final touch to his natural strength before he allowed him to cross back into Canaan. He entered the place of inheritance a different man and with a limp to remind him of his life changing struggle.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.