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A Life and Death Matter, March 2
Genesis 32
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let
thee go, except thou bless me.
Genesis 32:26
.
Jacob, in the great crisis of his life, turned aside to pray. He was filled with
one overmastering purpose—to seek for transformation of character
It was in a lonely, mountainous region, the haunt of wild beasts and lurking
place of robbers and murderers. Solitary and unprotected, Jacob bowed in deep
distress upon the earth.... With earnest cries and tears he made his prayer before
God. Suddenly a strong hand was laid upon him. He thought that an enemy
was seeking his life, and he endeavored to wrest himself from the grasp of his
assailant.
In the darkness the two struggled for the mastery. Not a word was spoken, but
Jacob put forth all his strength, and did not relax his efforts for a moment. While
he was thus battling for his life, the sense of his guilt pressed upon his soul; his
sins rose up before him, to shut him out from God. But in his terrible extremity
he remembered God’s promises, and his whole heart went out in entreaty for
His mercy. The struggle continued until near the break of day, when the stranger
placed his finger upon Jacob’s thigh, and he was crippled instantly. The patriarch
now discerned the character of his antagonist. He knew that he had been in
conflict with a heavenly messenger, and this was why his almost superhuman
effort had not gained the victory. It was Christ, “the Angel of the covenant,” who
had revealed Himself to Jacob. The patriarch was now disabled and suffering
the keenest pain, but he would not loosen his hold....
He urged, “Let me go, for the day breaketh;” but Jacob answered, “I will
not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Had this been a boastful, presumptuous
confidence, Jacob would have been instantly destroyed; but his was the assurance
of one who confesses his own unworthiness, yet trusts the faithfulness of a
covenant-keeping God
That for which Jacob had vainly wrestled in his own strength was won
through self-surrender and steadfast faith
[68]
2
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 144
.
3
Patriarchs and Prophets, 196, 197
.
4
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 144
.
69