JACOB'S NIGHT OF WRESTLING.
By G.
WHEN Jacob was returning from Padan-aram to Canaan, he met that experience which passed into sacred history as “Jacob's ‘trouble.’” He had endured many trials and passed through dangers that would have overwhelmed men of ordinary temperament unsupported by faith in God. But the ordeal of that night by the river Jabbok stands pre-eminent. His night of remorse, and fear, and penitence at Bethel, as he went out from Canaan more than twenty years before, was a bitter experience, but then the danger that confronted him concerned himself alone. On that occasion, too, he only dreaded the possible pursuit of his brother Esau. Here at the Jabbok the vengeful brother was actually approaching with an army of four hundred men. He would appear the next day, and not only was Jacob in danger, but his wives, and children, and servants, and vast herds and flocks were also at the mercy of Esau. Jacob's faith was on trial as never before. Moreover, the promises of God were on trial. At Bethel God had forgiven Jacob's sins, had transferred to him the promises made to Abraham and Isaac, and had added promises of personal protection and safe return to Canaan. These promises were Jacob's only hope. They had preserved him from the wrath of Laban, his father-in-law, who had pursued him with intent to compel his return to Padan-aram; and he had even been reassured by a vision of guardian angels on that occasion. Would this protection be extended against the present assailant? There was cause for Esau's grievance, a cause which Jacob did not pretend to ignore. At this point the adversary of souls would be sure to interject doubt and discouragement. Had God really forgiven his sins against his brother? Had his life since the experience at Bethel been such as would warrant him in claiming the promises then made? The enemy would hardly let pass such an opportunity to overthrow the faith of him in whom the promises of God were for the time vested. Jacob went apart from his camp to a secluded spot, and, alone in the solitude of night, appealed to God for the promised protection. But just at this critical moment a strong hand was suddenly laid upon him. Supposing it to be an enemy that grappled with him, he put forth all his strength in self-defense. And it is evident from the outcome, that as he struggled his heart appealed to God for mercy. His experience was leading him more and more to realize the utter helplessness of humanity, and that his only hope was in God. It was this realization, this distrust of self, and fear that in some respect he had failed in a perfect reconciliation with God, that added to the agony of soul with which Jacob wrestled that night. However, he was sustained by the promises. He pleaded the promise of mercy to the penitent sinner, and the plea was honored. Whatever may be the appearances, it is always safe to rely on any promise of God. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but ‘My words shall not pass away.’” Matt. 24:35. It was the strength of the promises to which Jacob clung in humbleness of faith that enabled him to endure the terrible conflict until the morning. He did not know that his physical contest was also with the One who had made the promises. It was there583true, as he had said after seeing the vision of the ladder at Bethel, the Lord was in that place and he knew it not. A mere touch of his supposed antagonist convinced Jacob that he had been in the hands of the Lord all the time. The Angel touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh, and his “thigh was out of ‘joint,’” causing him great pain. But when Jacob saw that he was wrestling with a Messenger of heaven, he clung to Him all the more firmly. He refused to let go without a blessing; and in this he gained the victory. Now what would Esau be in the presence of one who had prevailed with God? What is any human or even Satanic enemy in contest with one who has come away conqueror from the throne of grace? Here is a contrast that is worthy of consideration: In a physical contest with God, one touch of the divine Finger made a halting cripple of the mere human frame, while the power of heaven could not prevail against the prayer of faith. God “can not ‘deny Himself.’” The following extract from “Patriarchs and Prophets,” by Mrs. E. G. White, makes the application of Jacob's night of wrestling to the people of God in the last days of this world's history:— Such will be the experience of God's people in their final struggle with the powers of evil. God will test their faith, their perseverance, their confidence in His power to deliver them. Satan will endeavor to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless; that their sins have been too great to receive pardon. They will have a deep sense of their shortcomings, and as they review their lives, their hopes will sink. But remembering the greatness of God's mercy, and their own sincere repentance, they will plead His promises made through Christ to helpless, repenting sinners. Their faith will not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. They will lay hold of the strength of God, as Jacob laid hold of the Angel, and the language of their souls will be, “I will not let Thee ‘go, except thou bless me.” When Jacob was conscious of his great victory, he gave a name to the place to commemorate the occasion. He named it Peniel, or Penuel, saying, “I ‘have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” That he was afterward a cripple, for a time at least, is shown by the statement that “he ‘halted upon his thigh.” This, also, was afterward commemorated by the Israelites, as stated in the record: “Therefore the children of Israel eat not of ‘the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow ‘of the thigh, unto this day; because He touched the ‘hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.” Gen. 32:32. But to this memorial through suffering was added the consolation of the new name, Israel, a prince of God, or prevailer with God. The halting walk would remind him of the frailty of the flesh, while the new name would be a constant reminder of the power of faith. The children of faith are the true Israel of God, and have a sure promise of a part in the everlasting inheritance. G.