Angels in the Patriarchal Age
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It was Christ, “the Angel of the covenant,” who had revealed Him-
self to Jacob. The patriarch was now disabled, and suffering the keenest
pain, but he would not loosen his hold.... He must have the assurance
that his sin was pardoned.... The Angel tried to release Himself; 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, pre-
sumptuous 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. Jacob “had power
over the Angel, and prevailed.” ...
While Jacob was wrestling with the Angel, another heavenly mes-
senger was sent to Esau. In a dream, Esau beheld his brother for twenty
years an exile from his father’s house; he witnessed his grief at finding
his mother dead; and saw him encompassed by the hosts of God. This
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dream was related by Esau to his soldiers, with the charge not to harm
Jacob, for the God of his father was with him....
Jacob’s experience during that night of wrestling and anguish rep-
resents the trial through which the people of God must pass just before
Christ’s second coming.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 197-201
.
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