Jacob's Wrestling Match (Genesis 32.24-32)

In my reading of the BIBLE today (Genesis 32), I read of the account of Jacob wrestling with GOD. Much has been taught and preached on this particular encounter and although I have some knowledge on the event, I'm constantly amazed at how the LORD shows me another dimension of HIS Word every time I read it or ask questions about it. Here's what I came away with as a result of my reading today.


7 Things You Should Know About Jacob's Wrestling Match And What It Means To You Today

1. The man in Genesis 32.24 is a manifestation of GOD.

2. The wrestling takes place because, although Jacob had been blessed by GOD throughout his time of service to Laban, he had not yet entered into covenant with GOD (which is what he promised to do in Genesis 28.21). Similar to Moses' encounter with GOD in Exodus 4.24-25.

3. The implied time of the wrestling (the darkest part of the night) is significant because it is a foreshadowing to us of GOD delivering (wrestling) us out of darkness into light through HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, WHO later came to us in the form of a man.

4. Jacob wrestled and was prevailing upon the "man" according to his natural strength. Yet, the "man" ultimately prevailed upon Jacob's body in a place of great vulnerability. Ultimately, the lesser strength of the man Jacob, despite being great according to human standards, could not hold up under the weight of the greater, GOD-strength. The flesh gave way to the spirit as it must in us today. That which is earthly gives way to the heavenly. The natural to the supernatural.

5. The significance of the touching of the thigh in this encounter is not to be missed or in any way underestimated. This was a customary way of sealing covenant (swearing), as we also see in Genesis 24.9 and Genesis 47.29. This was not a casual promise with loopholes we are so famous for making today; this was the "I keep my word or I lose my life" kind of promise. Also, known as Covenant. This was the equivalent of a man swearing to GOD by his own life.

6. Jacob's alone-ness (not to be confused with loneliness) symbolizes the private, dark place of struggle with GOD that brought him into the blessing of GOD in the light of day.

7. Before Jacob will release the "man" to go, he demands a blessing. Keep in mind that Jacob was already quite wealthy by the standards of his times, so why is he demanding a blessing? Here's the key, Jacob was wealthy, but he was not blessed. Blessedness or Blessing can only proceed from GOD to the human race through Covenant. Blessing can produce wealth, but wealth can never produce blessing. Jacob had "stuff", but he did not have a Covenant relationship with GOD. The result of Jacob's fearless fight with GOD, blessing as evidenced in his new name, Israel. Jacob was no longer identified as merely a wealthy man by other men. He was now identified by GOD and with GOD as a blessed man.

There is a secret place that all of us have to go with GOD whether to wrestle out the dark, non-GOD parts of our being that still cling to us. Yet, we are never to leave wrestling without first receiving a blessing. I don't mean nagging GOD to give us more cars, money, fame, or fortune which is what we so often do. No, I'm talking about the true blessing of the FATHER GOD, to be identified by HIM and associated with HIM through the taking of our new name.

Isaiah 62.2: And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Revelation 2.17: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.