Israel's Watch by Walter Carl Fisher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1916

Israel's Watch

By Walter Carl Fisher

WALTER CARL FISHER

“He took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” “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.” Gen. 32:23, 24, 28.

Jacob's name, which meant supplanter, a crafty and cunningly selfish person, was changed to Israel, a prevailer with God. Jacob may stand to us for all our selfish and earth-born interests.

How did Jacob receive the experience which was the greatest thing in his life, the experience which transformed him?

Jacob sent over the brook all that he had. He separated himself from all his worldly interests. Even his family was not permitted to stay with him.

Night had settled down over the mountains, and Jacob was left alone. He had reached a crisis in his life. He had humbled himself, and had made his confession to God. “O God of my father Abraham, . . . I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant,” was the cry that went up from his heart.

There in the darkness alone he waited, and the angel of the Lord came to him. Then, as never before, Jacob must have felt man's insufficiency and weakness. His soul was tried to its depths. Through the long hours the struggle went on, until the breaking of the day. The victory was won. From that day forth he served God, not Jacob.

At this time, when the night of sin hangs heavy over the world, the children of God must individually have this very experience. Every one must wrestle for the victory over self. All narrow, self-loving, self-seeking, and worldly interests must be separated from the heart, and with strong crying and tears the victory must be won. It can come only through prayer. Until the breaking of the day of God, prayer must be the watchword of God's children.

The Lord Jesus, before leaving this world, gave sufficient instruction to guide us in these perilous times. His words were: “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” Mark 14:33-36. Then followed words which never had the significance which they have today, and which are spoken to each child of God individually: “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”