JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - Wrestling With God

It was a terrifying time for Jacob. He left his father-in-law and was about to pass the territory of his older brother Esau. He was fearful for three things; his life, family and possessions. He was afraid that his brother Esau may exact vengeance because of his deceit regarding Esau’s birthright. It was, for Jacob, a time of prayer.

During this time, when Jacob was alone, he met a man. He wrestled with the man until the breaking of the day (dawn). The man could not prevail against Jacob so he broke Jacob’s thigh. But Jacob didn’t let go. He wanted the man to bless him before he releases him. Thus, the man asked for Jacob’s name and changed it to Israel.

He Prevaileth Not

Who was the man Jacob wrestled with? According to Genesis 32:30 and Hosea 12:3, the man was God. Some readers thought it was an angel of God. But angels don’t have powers to bless; they just deliver. This man blessed Jacob by changing his name from Jacob (which means “supplanter” or “deceiver”) to Israel (the prince of God). Remember that during those times names represent the bearer’s character and personality. It was embarrassing for a person to be named negatively. Thus, from a negative personality and character to a positive one; only God can be able to do that.

One phrase that caught my attention is “he prevaileth not”. It was not a phrase of defeat but of inability of defeating one’s opponent. He could have prevailed easily if he used excessive force, but he didn’t. If he can dislocate Jacob’s thigh, why didn’t he break Jacob’s arms in order to prevail. In any case, he cannot defeat Jacob. It doesn’t mean that he lost but he cannot prevail. Let us take one example: a mother doesn’t want to give-in to the desires of her child but eventually after a long discussion (battle) the child won. It doesn’t mean that the mother have lost her authority over her child, she just couldn’t prevail against her child.

Holding On To the Blessor

Ever felt physical pain, one that could cripple you? Then imagine the pain Jacob must have felt. He was wrestling with God and God dislocated his thigh. I’m an instructor of aikido and this art deals with dislocating or breaking joints/bones. And one technique of escape is to dislocate or break the opponent’s arm, legs or neck. Imagine how good a wrestler God is. It is very hard to dislocate an opponent’s thigh especially in a grappling position; but He did. When students try to grab me, the only means of escape is either to throw them or to lock them. Any man will release his hold on his opponent once pain is introduced to their body. Any man will quit and hold on to his broken or dislocated arm or leg. But Jacob didn’t! He kept on holding to his opponent. Imagine the pain he was experiencing; they were still grappling while he has a dislocated thigh; that must be quite painful! But Jacob held on; he knew he wasn’t grappling any ordinary man; he knew he wasn’t fighting with an angel; he knew he was face-to-face wrestling with God. He knew that God is his only hope of survival; he knew that God is his family’s hope. He held on because he wanted God’s blessing. He held on because he wanted his prayers to be answered.

What is your name?

Then, the Man, unable to escape told Jacob to release Him for the day is breaking. But Jacob replied, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me (Gen 32:26)”. It was a hurried request, a desperate plea, for the day is breaking and his appointment with his brother Esau is nigh at hand. Thus, knowing the desperation and the steel-willed position of Jacob, the Man asked “What is thy name (v.27)?” Why would the Man asked for his name? In ancient combat, both fighters introduced themselves one with another. Why, then, would He asked for Jacob’s name when they already know each other’s name? Another question: Jacob was asking the Man to bless him, why not simple ask Jacob what he wanted. Why ask for his name?

Sometimes, during our prayers, when we feel the presence of the Lord in our midst, we begin to divert our petitions. Rather than ask what we truly need, we ask for what we wanted. The reason why God asked Jacob’s name was God was reminding Jacob what he truly needed. Jacob may have asked for mercy in the hands of his brother Esau but that will only last for awhile because he still carries his name. What God wanted for Jacob is for him to be free from his worries, ENTIRELY! That is how God answers prayers.

A Prince with God

Then the Man said to Jacob, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel (Gen 32:28).” Israel means “a prince with God”. From the name “supplanter”, it became “a prince with God”. Now, Jacob felt the thorns removed; the name that haunted him is now changed. He began to have hope and higher expectations because he knew it was God that blessed him (v.29-30).

What is our situation today? Are you contented with it? If not, the Lord our God wants to change that for us. Like Jacob, we must hold on unto God and pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). Keep on P.U.S.H.ing (Pray Until Success Happens). And God will do the rest.

Moving On

Remember that the Man dislocated Jacob’s thigh. Verse 29 states that the Man has blessed him there. It is possible that the Man healed Jacob but not to the extent of allowing Jacob to walk straight. There was no great pain that Jacob felt as he hurried back to his family’s caravan. He was limping but otherwise okay. The Man had given hope to Jacob that he was now brave enough to face his brother Esau.

From Jacob’s experience, God answers prayer in this order:
     a.     One must wrestle with God in order to obtain the privilege of asking God.
     b.     One must experience difficulty and pain in order to talk with God.
     c.     One must remember what he/she truly needed before asking God the petition.
     d.     God gives His answers through promises. Thus, one must hold on to the promise even though the answers are not yet experienced or physically met.
     e.     One must move on to his/her life; never looking back but focusing to the path that God has opened.
     f.     Claim the answers by confessing them regularly.