Christian’s Strength
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patriarch now discerns the character of his great antagonist. He knows
that he has been in bodily conflict with a heavenly messenger, and
that this is why his almost superhuman efforts did not gain for him the
victory. He is now disabled, and suffering the keenest pain; but he will
not loosen his hold. He falls, a conquered foe, all penitent and broken,
upon the neck of the angel.
The divine messenger tries to release himself from the grasp of
Jacob. He pleads with him, “Let me go, for the day breaketh.” But
Jacob has been pleading the promises of God; he has been urging his
pledged word, which is as unfailing as his throne; and now, through
humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal
can make terms with the heavenly messenger: “I will not let thee go,
except thou bless me.” What boldness is here manifested! What lofty
faith! what perseverance and holy trust! Had this been a boastful, pre-
sumptuous claim, Jacob would have been instantly destroyed. But his
was the assurance of one who realizes his weakness and unworthiness,
yet trusts the faithfulness of God to fulfill his promise. The mistake
which had led to Jacob’s sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud was
now open before him. He had not trusted God and his promises as
he should have done. He had become impatient, and had sought by
his own efforts to bring about that which God was abundantly able to
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perform in his own time and way.
The angel inquired of Jacob, “What is thy name?” And when Jacob
answered, he said, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob [the
supplanter], but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and
with men, and hast prevailed.” Jacob received the blessing for which
his soul had longed; his sin as a supplanter and deceiver was pardoned.
The crisis in his life had passed. God shows, in his dealing with Jacob,
that he will not sanction the least wrong in any of his children; neither
will he cast off and leave to despair and destruction those who are
deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin. Doubt, perplexity, and
remorse had imbittered Jacob’s life; but now all was changed, and how
sweet was the rest and peace in God, in the assurance of his restored
favor.
It is the privilege of every one of us, like Jacob, to prevail with
God. But the query arises, How can we believe that we shall receive
the things we ask for, when we have no evidence that we shall? God’s
word is pledged. Is not that sufficient evidence? If we grasp the