Jacob knew that he was the heir of God's blessings. For twenty years, he went through turbulent times of struggling and blessedness. Jacob the deceiver had been deceived by his crafty uncle Laban. Yet, God's blessing overwhelmed Laban's spite. Jacob prospered and as he journeyed back, his wealth followed him in streams of sheep, goats and cattle.
High drama surrounded Jacob's return to the land. He returned in obedience to God's command. But his departure from Haran was an unceremonious flight of being pursued. The two concluded an uneasy truce with an appeal to the Lord to oversee their separate mistrust. “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight. If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me.” (Genesis 31:49-50)
But the escape from the confrontation was only a small part of Jacob's concern. Worse up was facing the hatred and sworn revenge of Esau. His apprehension grew as he neared his brother, but then encamped angels who guarded the land of the promise challenged Jacob that his return was not just encountering his brother, but with the Lord of Hosts (Gen 32:1-2). Yet, Jacob would have been reassured that the God of promise kept the land of the promise. The one who knows and fears the Lord of Hosts need fear no other.
To make peace with Esau, Jacob sent a delegation with magnificent gifts ahead. But they had alarming news that Esau was on his way to meet with four hundred men! In panic, Jacob divided his people into two companies (that at least one half could flee) and fled to the Lord in a prayer of full dependence of deliverance (Gen 32:10-11). How could Jacob's descendants become as countless as the sand of the seashore (32:12) if they were to be obliterated now?
Jacob was in conflict and struggle all his life started from the wrestling with Esau in his mother's womb. This struggle was potential to be reignited now. But another deeper struggle brought this crisis in his life. Jacob's struggle was with God. Earnestly, fiercely, he would prevail at seeking God's blessing of promise at any cost by any means! He twisted, gripped, fought against his opponent. At issue was the whole meaning of his life! The very blessing that he had deceived to receive. Yet the one who struggled with him was the very angel of the Lord. God himself as a man. No wonder Jacob's adversary was too strong for him.
His thighs trembled. His fear brought desperation. And at the moment when his opponent touched his hip, the strength of his leg was gone. He had lost. But yet, Jacob clung fiercely to his awesome adversary. However weak he is, however teary he is, he will cling on to His blessings.
Centuries later, the prophet Hosea reminded Jacob's descendants of their forefather's strange victory (Hosea 12:2-6). Though the tribes were guilty like Jacob was, God dealt with him amid his deceptions but he prevailed with God as he wept and sought His grace.
Jacob did not win the wrestle. But he won in faith. When all is lost, cling to God alone.
References:
Edmund Clowney, The Unfolding Mystery - Discovering Christ in the Old Testament
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