Jacob’s life can be summed up with the word “struggle.” Jacob struggled even before he was even born. “…Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her;” (Genesis 25:21-22)
Jacob’s struggles included the following:
A dysfunctional family – Rebekah was disappointed with Isaac for blessing the wrong son, so she deceived him. Isaac and Esau were both upset at Jacob for taking Esau’s birth rite and for stealing his blessing.
A deceitful uncle – Uncle Laban gave Jacob the wrong wife after seven years of labor and made him work seven more years for the wife he really wanted; Laban also changed his wages seven times.
A dishonest wife – Rachael stole her dad’s golden idols and lied to both her husband and father about it.
A determined brother – Esau vowed to kill Jacob and was ready with four hundred armed men to settle the score.
Jacob had found a way to struggle through all of life’s problems; but in Genesis 32, he finds himself alone, helpless, and out of options. With Laban behind him and Esau in front of him, Jacob had nowhere to look but up. Jacob learned an important lesson by the river Jabbok that we must all learn as well. Our struggles in life aren’t with people and circumstances but between God and ourselves. When we pull back the veil of circumstances in our lives, we will see our soul and God. Jacob wrestled with God over his circumstances; and God changed Jacob, empowering him to face his circumstances.
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. (Genesis 32:24-30)
1. Don’t Let Go of God – “I will not let you go until you bless me!”
Jacob knew that God was the only real source of blessing; therefore, he wouldn’t let go of God no matter what. God tested him by asking him to let go and he said, “I will not let you go.” God wounded him by touching the hollow of his thigh, and he he still would not let go. “I will not let you go until you bless me.”
We desperately need God’s blessing on our lives, our homes, and our churches. Like Jacob, we must hold on when we are tempted to loosen our grip and when an area of our life is “out of joint.” It is not the time to slacken in Bible reading, prayer, and church attendance, but a reason for a better grip in these areas.
2. Don’t Lie to God – “What is thy name?” – “Jacob”
After the fall in the garden, God said, “Adam where art thou?” Jesus said to the woman with the issue of blood, “Who touched me?” God obviously knew these things but wanted honesty. “Who are you?” “I am Jacob” (meaning supplanting heal-catcher). “I am a deceiver, a trickster, and a conman.” Before God could bless Jacob and give him a new name, Jacob had to come clean! It was time to stop blaming Mom, Dad, Uncle Laban, Rachel, Esau… We as well need to confess — “my name is bitter, lustful, covetous, gossip…” We must be honest with God.
3. Don’t Lose Your Limp – “He halted on his thigh”
Jacob’s limp was a reminder that victory came from God and not from his own conniving. Many times God more readily uses people with messed up backgrounds, limited talents, and various disabilities because these people know the Source of their strength. The Apostle Paul said, “… I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (II Corinthians 12:10).
God forever wanted the children of Israel to celebrate Jacob’s limp. God wanted them to know that Jacob’s weakness in the flesh was the key to his strength with God.
Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank. (Genesis 32:32)
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. (Hebrews 11:21)