Genesis 32:29, commentary and pictures

At the Jabbok in his night of wrestling in prayer on his return after twenty years of exile, Jacob asked the One who wrestled with him to tell His name, and He answered by asking why Jacob asked after His name, withheld the name, and blessed him there. The One who wrestled with him through the night was Christ, the Angel of the covenant. The blessing given there was assurance that his sin was pardoned, with his name changed from Jacob the supplanter to Israel as a prince who had power with God, breaking the power of evil in his nature and transforming his character. He prevailed not by his own strength but by humble, penitent, determined persistence, clinging to the Angel and refusing to let go without a blessing while trusting mercy and fastening upon the covenant promises. That night of anguish wrestling for deliverance from Esau represents the experience of God's people in the time of Jacob's trouble, and stands as the model of importunate prayer that lays hold of God's promises with unyielding faith until the blessing comes.

Night Wrestling Setting

The verse stands in Jacob's night of wrestling in prayer at the Jabbok on his return toward his native country after twenty years of exile. He remembered then his deception to gain his father's blessing intended for Esau, his flight for his life from his brother's deadly threats, and God's favor and promises of help and guidance through the years away. At God's command he had set out with wives and children and flocks and herds, and at the borders terror seized him to hear Esau approaching with a band of warriors bent on revenge. His own company was unarmed and defenseless against violence and slaughter, and with anxiety and fear came crushing self-reproach because his own sin had brought the danger. His only hope was in the mercy of God and his only defense was prayer, yet he left nothing undone to atone for the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger.

The One who wrestled with him through the night was Christ, the Angel of the covenant. Jacob at first supposed his opponent was an enemy and wrestled for his life, until a divine touch of power crippled his thigh and by that touch revealed he was contending with the Saviour. At daybreak the divine touch made plain whom he had been contending with, and wounded, disabled, helpless and weeping he fell upon the breast of Infinite Love. Mistaking the Visitor for an enemy and opposing Him is failing to recognize God's near visit, which leaves one destitute of quickening cleansing of moral impurity, while recognizing Him brings blessing when sin is confessed.

In that helpless pleading Jacob asked the Angel to tell his name. The Angel answered with the counter-question why he asked after His name, withheld the name, and blessed him there. That asking and blessing belonged to a divine visitation first unrecognized, coming after earnest wrestling, recognition of the Lord, and pleading not to be turned aside without a blessing. The place was called Peniel because Jacob had seen God face to face and lived. During that same night God sent a heavenly messenger to Esau, whose dream warned him not to harm Jacob because God was with him.

Blessing and Transformation

The blessing given there was assurance that his sin was pardoned, received after he held on through persevering struggle and would not let go without it. When he asked for the name, no name was given in reply, but he was blessed there instead. The place was then called Peniel because he had seen God face to face and lived. That blessing is evidence of his triumph and encouragement for others to imitate his example.

It was sought by clinging in importunate prayer to the Angel of the covenant while disabled and in keenest pain from the thigh, penitent and broken, refusing to loosen hold or let pain divert him from seeking pardon. He fastened a trembling grasp upon the promises of God and the covenant with his fathers and the promises at Bethel and in exile, confessing sin and pleading mercy with growing determination and earnest, persevering faith. His prevailing was not boastful, presumptuous confidence, which would have destroyed him, but the assurance of one who confesses weakness and unworthiness yet trusts the mercy and faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God, prevailing through humiliation, repentance and self-surrender. Infinite Love could not turn away his earnest, agonizing cry, though Satan accused him and pressed guilt to discourage him and break his hold and drive him almost to despair.

With the blessing his name was changed from Jacob the supplanter to Israel, marking him as a prince who had power with God and would prevail with men. He had wrestled all night for his life and for transformation of character, at first supposing his opponent an enemy, until a touch of divine power revealed he was contending with the Saviour. Then wounded and helpless he fell upon the Saviour's breast pleading for a blessing, refusing to be turned aside or cease intercession, and Christ Himself inspired that persistence, gave him the victory, and granted the petition of the helpless penitent soul. What he had vainly wrestled for in his own strength was won through self-surrender and steadfast faith, after repentance, weeping supplication, endeavor to atone for the wrong to his brother, and having power over the Angel and prevailing. From being a man of feebleness and sin he became a prince with God, and communion with God through faith and prayer thus ennobles character and life, giving peace and rest in the Saviour that shines in countenance and voice and makes men and women of high and holy purpose unswayed from truth, right and justice, with power to rescue others and resist temptation.

The blessing gained there was not merely deliverance from his outraged brother but deliverance from himself. The power of evil in his own nature was broken, his character transformed and refined, and through grace the curse was worked out into a blessing. He came forth a different man, taught to stop relying on cunning and human skill to secure God's blessing and instead to trust the Almighty and submit humbly to His will, with a life marked by simplicity and truth. Blessing is so gained through earnest, persevering prayer and unyielding faith, not through human ability or advantage, by forsaking sin and laying hold of His promises.

After being crippled and made helpless, his very weakness and surrender became the setting for victory through faith, and he received the blessing and the title of a prince with God. Prevailing with God assured him that he would prevail with people, so he no longer needed to fear Esau because the Lord was his defense. God heard his prayer, preserved his life, changed Esau's purpose toward him, and impressed Esau so that he did not attack, with God's blessing evident in him and preparing him to meet Esau. Afterward Esau's armed band was stilled, and even Pharaoh stooped to seek his blessing.

How Jacob Prevailed

Jacob prevailed by earnest, determined persistence, clinging to the Angel and refusing to let go without a blessing through pain, disability, delay, hunger, weakness, anguish and near despair. Wounded and helpless after the divine touch crippled his thigh, he fell weeping and suppliant upon his antagonist and would not be turned aside or cease intercession, but held on pleading when the divine visitant seemed about to depart. Disabled and in keenest pain, he would not loosen his hold or let pain divert him, but fastened on with growing determination and despairing energy until he succeeded as all must who seek God's blessing with determined faith. Though Satan accused him and pressed guilt to discourage him and break his hold, and though driven almost to despair knowing he must perish without Heaven's help, he held fast until he prevailed.

His persistence was not boastful, presumptuous confidence, which would have destroyed him, but the assurance of one humbled, penitent and broken, conscious of weakness and unworthiness. He confessed his own unworthiness yet trusted the mercy and faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God, fastening his trembling grasp upon His promises and upon the covenant with his fathers and the promises given at Bethel and in exile. Through humiliation, repentance and self-surrender he, a sinful erring mortal, prevailed with the Majesty of Heaven, because he was persevering and determined and Infinite Love cannot turn away the earnest agonizing cry. His victory came through humility, repentance, surrender and trust in God's mercy, not through presumptuous claim, and his persistence followed sincere repentance despite guilt and near despair.

He confessed his sin, pleaded the promise of mercy to the repentant sinner, recalled his repentance, and appealed to mercy, and that promise assured him that God would pardon and accept him and sustained him through the conflict. The Angel reminded him of his sin, but he persisted relying on God's mercy until he prevailed. Christ Himself inspired that persevering faith, placed confidence in him that was rewarded with a blessing, gave him the victory, and granted the petition of this helpless penitent soul. What he had vainly wrestled for in his own strength was won through self-surrender and steadfast faith rather than his own strength, when he learned that human help and strength could not save him and his only help was God.

What was vainly sought by human ability or advantage is gained by coming to Jesus with much prayer and a broken heart and contrite spirit, building on Christ instead of trusting self and self-effort and self-righteousness. He died to self, forsook sin, shut himself in alone with God where life and death were at stake, shutting the mind off from every other person to do the work alone between God and the soul and making thorough work for eternity by humbling himself under the mighty hand of God so He lifts up in due time. He stopped relying on cunning and human skill to secure God's blessing and instead trusted the Almighty and let God's will prevail in humble submission. In midnight struggle he surrendered all of self to God and exercised conquering faith in God, a surrender that melts the cold iron of self whose presence keeps God out of assemblies and is little known by professed believers without whom self remains unmelted.

The blessing was given only because he had previously repented of obtaining the birthright by fraud, had endeavored to atone for the wrong to his brother, and sought help from God weeping and making supplication. Like him the righteous have no concealed, unconfessed sins, for their earlier repentance leaves them able to trust God rather than be overwhelmed by hidden wrongdoing. God does not excuse or tolerate evil, and prevailing prayer depends on prior true repentance rather than mere fear of consequences. If unconfessed sins appeared while tortured with fear and anguish they would be overwhelmed and despair would cut off faith so they could not plead, but with sins gone beforehand to judgment and blotted out they can plead for deliverance with confidence even while feeling unworthiness.

Type of Time of Trouble

Jacob's night of anguish wrestling in prayer for deliverance from Esau pictures the experience of God's people in the time of trouble before Christ's second coming. After securing by deception his father's blessing intended for Esau, fleeing for his life from his brother's deadly threats, remaining many years an exile, and then at God's command returning toward his native country with wives and children and flocks and herds, Jacob was filled with terror at the borders to hear Esau approaching with a band of warriors bent on revenge while his own company was unarmed and defenseless against violence and slaughter, and with anxiety and fear came crushing self-reproach because his own sin had brought the danger. His only hope was in the mercy of God and his only defense was prayer, yet he left nothing undone to atone for the wrong to his brother and avert the threatened danger, and so followers of Christ as they approach the time of trouble must make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger threatening liberty of conscience. Jacob's continued hold on the Angel and earnest plea for a blessing show confidence in God's mercy despite weakness and unworthiness, and his all-night struggle tested his faith and perseverance and illustrates how the righteous will be tested in their time of anguish and must trust God to deliver them. Like Jacob facing Esau, they will be surrounded by the wicked and see no escape, so they will cry to God day and night for deliverance.

As Jacob pleaded with God for deliverance through the night, the righteous will plead for deliverance from their enemies during the time of trouble and will be saved. Surrounded by thickening darkness, with measures taken against them and death appointed to them by the heathen round about, they stand trusting in God and cry to Him earnestly day and night for a way of escape and salvation that will glorify His name. They endure fearful inner anguish and cry earnestly for deliverance, yet do not cease interceding even when it appears that God has left them to their enemies. Their deliverance comes when God manifests His power, for the glory of His name, as Jacob wrestled through the night and received God's blessing after that struggle. Jacob's struggle provides a picture of God's people wrestling with God in fearful distress and continuing their earnest intercession.

They picture the righteous clinging to God in prayer, acknowledging their unworthiness and relying on His mercy and promises. After reviewing their past sins and humbly repenting, they will earnestly seek God's help day and night, taking hold of His promise and pleading for peace, humbly appealing to God's mercy and promises with earnest, persistent prayer in a life-or-death trial after remembering and repenting of past wrongs. Like Jacob, each one pleads persistently while submitting to God's will, trusting that God can make a way and save them, feeling unworthiness and submitting to God's will while seeking His blessing and rescue. Like Jacob they recognize their unworthiness, submit to God's will, and persist in prayer for deliverance, and their rescue is delayed because God's will is not yet fulfilled and they must endure the trial. With a deep sense of unworthiness and entire submission to the will of God, every one without exception pleads and wrestles like Jacob for deliverance, continuing in earnest prayer even while deliverance is withheld until the will of God is fulfilled and they have drunk of the cup and been baptized with the baptism.

Their struggle therefore illustrates how the righteous will be tested in their anguish, revealing their faith, perseverance, and unshaken confidence in God's power to deliver, for in distress Jacob held fast and supplicated with tears while the Angel's reminder of Jacob's past wrongs and attempt to escape tested him. Those who enter into the mighty shaking plead with God with strong faith and agonizing cries, with pale countenances marked with deep anxiety expressing internal struggle, with firmness and great earnestness, with large drops of perspiration rising on their foreheads and falling, at times lighted up with marks of God's approbation and with a ray of light from Jesus that encourages their hearts. Their only safety is keeping their eyes directed upward to Jesus while evil angels crowd around pressing darkness to shut out Jesus from view and draw eyes to darkness unto distrust of God and murmuring against Him, while angels having charge over God's people continually waft their wings over the anxious ones to scatter the thick darkness and hasten to aid everyone who struggles with all energy to resist evil angels and tries to help himself by calling upon God with perseverance. Those who do not participate in this agonizing and pleading, who seem indifferent and careless and make no effort to help themselves and do not resist the darkness, are shut in like a thick cloud, left by the angels of God who go to the aid of the earnest praying ones, and are lost sight of.

Jacob's example shows that those who earnestly seek God's blessing, hold to His promises, and persist through delay and weakness can prevail, and faith that will endure the time of trouble must be exercised earnestly and perseveringly now. Those who seek God's blessing, hold to His promises, and continue praying through delay, hunger, and weakness will prevail as Jacob did, and faith able to endure the time of trouble must be exercised persistently now. To lay hold of God's promises as Jacob did means to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, to have the soul drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch, and to cling with unyielding faith to the promises when waves of despair sweep over the suppliant, enduring weariness, delay and hunger without fainting. All who are that earnest and persevering will succeed and obtain the blessing, while those unwilling to strive will not obtain it, and this wrestling is preparation for the coming season of distress and anguish, for which the period of probation is granted to learn faith and the habit of trust in God. Those who exercise little faith now are in greatest danger of falling under Satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience, and even if they endure will face deeper distress and anguish. Prevailing prayer depends on prior repentance, for the blessing Jacob received there was God hearing his prayer and mercifully preserving his life, and that blessing was given only because Jacob had previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud. As Jacob could plead, they can have confidence to plead with God for deliverance only when they have no unconfessed sins, having a deep sense of unworthiness but no concealed wrongs to reveal because their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out and cannot be brought to remembrance; if unconfessed sins appeared while tortured with fear and anguish they would be overwhelmed, despair would cut off faith, and they could not plead.

Jacob's history gives assurance that God will not cast off those who have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin but have returned to Him with true repentance; while Satan's assaults are fierce and determined and his delusions terrible, God keeps His eye upon His people, listens to their cries, and sends His angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril. Their affliction is great and the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them, but God's love is as strong and tender in severest trial as in prosperity, and the Refiner lets the furnace consume their earthliness so the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected and they come forth as gold tried in the fire. Like Jacob, they persist in wrestling with God, and although deliverance is delayed, God will finally act in power and rescue them. God gives Jacob's experience to those keeping His commandments in the future time of perplexity and trouble and deception and coming conflict, when they are of one heart, bound up with Christ and with one another and hid with Christ in God, taking hold of Christ's strength and making peace with Him, thereby to claim the everlasting covenant of peace in which He places and multiplies them, sets His sanctuary and tabernacle in the midst of them forever, is their God, and makes them His people. The chapter to which the asking of the mysterious man's name and receiving a blessing instead of an answer belongs is cited in connection with Jesus' pleading for the unsealed remnant before the four winds are released.

Pattern for Earnest Prayer

Jacob's night struggle stands as the model of importunate prayer, laying hold of God's promises with unyielding, determined faith that denies self, agonizes before God, and prays long and earnestly with the soul drawn out in intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. It is refusing to let go without a blessing, clinging with persevering determination through weariness, delay, hunger, weakness, anguish and near despair, and even when waves of despair sweep over the suppliant enduring without fainting. All who are that earnest and persevering will succeed and obtain the blessing, while those unwilling to strive and wrestle will not obtain it, and faith able to endure the coming time of trouble must be exercised earnestly and perseveringly now.

The greatest victories for the church or the individual are gained in the audience chamber with God when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power. That prevailing trusts the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour, whose heart of infinite love cannot turn away the sinner's plea and who has promised to hear the prayer of faith and pardon transgressions. Sincere prayer ascends to heaven and is made wholly efficacious through the merit and righteousness of Christ, and such wrestling obtains the facilities and the measure of the Holy Spirit needed to lift the standard of truth. In days of peril men must so wrestle and prevail, asking God, grasping His rich promises, and receiving grace in proportion to earnest supplication.

Such prayer follows the Spirit's leading and will not rest without a special manifestation of God's power. It is humble, believing prayer with the simplicity and clinging faith of a child seeking guidance in perplexity, holding fast until God reveals the person's own character and reveals Himself, so that in Jesus are seen strength, support, brightness and power, with confidence placed wholly in the Lord never betrayed and victory obtained. Holding on until the blessing comes brings light amid darkness, conversion, confession of sin with tears, a changed heart and mind and feelings, removal of hatred and revenge, peace and joy, and a new life with strengthening assurance.

It means secret, closet wrestling that remains and refuses to leave until strength in God is felt and sweet evidence of pardoned sin is obtained, after which watching and praying keeps the grace of God appearing in the life. It means taking time apart to examine self, test the heart, study the Bible, and pray and wrestle in secret earnest prayer instead of reaching out for sympathy and help from others, so as to become converted, stop making excuses, obtain divine aid, bring Jesus into the life, and become free in God and consecrated wholly to Him. It means grasping the promises, surrendering self to God, freeing the soul, breaking down the walls of self-righteousness, knowing how to seek the Lord and how to surrender to Him, and holding the case with a burden before the Lord that will not sleep without a thorough work of the Spirit upon the heart; those who do not come to the point, grasp the promises, and wrench themselves away from self-righteousness gain no victory and are left enshrouded in dense darkness, still anchored to self.

If Jesus, though the beloved and sinless Son of God, felt the necessity of earnest communion with the Father, how much more must those who are heirs of salvation, subject to fiery temptation and dependent on divine grace for strength to overcome, wrestle in prayer with the whole soul stirred and refuse to let go without a blessing. Such wrestling comes into close connection with heaven, dies to self, makes Jesus the tower of strength, asks in faith for what is willed and believes, and shows that faith by works so the rich blessings of heaven come and others are reached through God. It is the opposite of being conformed to the world, turning back toward Egypt, backsliding, and remaining lukewarm, inactive, worldly, and barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord while professing godliness. A heaven full of blessings awaits demand and will be given in answer to fervent, effectual prayer of firm hold with unquestioning faith and earnestness that will not be denied; God's work needs men who so hold on unreservedly and consecrate themselves to Him, for genuine earnest faith like Jacob's prepares the heart for the reception of God's power.

Prayer Applied to Life

Wrestling like Jacob means contending not for personal safety but for the success of the truth when the heart sinks at forces combined against it and faith falters as enemies multiply and darkness seems to prevail. It is done in helplessness and anguish of spirit, with face upon the earth and broken, heart-rending cries that only God can fully interpret, the soul fastening upon Christ the mighty deliverer. Such wrestling prevails to give strengthening assurance of not standing alone, return of peace to the soul, and rejoicing in being permitted to uphold and defend the word of God before rulers of the nation even to sealing testimony with blood. Luther's prayerful conflict seeking strength from God rather than human power followed this same night struggle beside the stream, and received the same assurance that he would not stand alone.

Moses' persistence in pleading for rebellious Israel is compared to Jacob holding fast to the Angel and prevailing, for both continued their entreaties and received a gracious answer. Jacob's perseverance is likewise the pattern for wrestling with God in prayer for the salvation of souls and refusing to give up. It is the pattern for praying for ministers and for those weak in faith, letting prayer follow the laborers like sharp sickles in the great harvest-field, and for carrying Christianity into the family as a bright, steady light that brings pentecostal seasons even now. Those seeking to rescue the tempted and fallen must supplicate God continually and depend on His power through Jesus Christ, for victory comes by earnestly holding to God in prayer. Prayer for others should be persistent and heartfelt with humbled hearts before God, offered while carrying great responsibility and seeking strength to do every duty and win souls to the Saviour, in every difficulty praying that Christ's message of love reach people and refresh them with heavenly grace.

Such wrestling is intercession with a covenant-keeping God in behalf of His watchmen that souls may be won to the Saviour. It is the work of men and women of intercession, individually and as a whole, if they would be a living church highly privileged to act a part with heavenly angels. It is done by treading sin under feet and placing habits, conversation, and daily life on the Lord's side, and by holding up the hands that are ready to fall. So doing shows love for Jesus and the souls He bought with His own blood and gains a high and holy experience beautified by the attributes of Christ.

Jacob prayed with an importunity that holds on until blessing comes, and believers should pray three times a day with that same persistence. Deep heart-searching at home is the first preparation before holy convocations, finding Jesus at home and taking Him with them to the meeting. Only through that individual home preparation can they expect to feel the presence of the Lord and see His power displayed at the gathering.

Communion with God through faith and prayer ennobles character and life, as the blessing Jacob received there turned a man of feebleness and sin into a prince with God. It gives peace and rest in the Saviour that shines in countenance and voice, making men and women of high and holy purpose who will not for any consideration be swayed from truth, right, and justice. It imparts a power for rescuing others and resisting temptation that nothing else can give, and those who so wrestle gain victory over self and go out to share the spiritual power received. It is the preparation of conscientious, godly men for God's great work, maintaining a good fight against evil in life-work and seeking the favor of God instead of the applause of the people. Those who so wrestle become men through whom God can work, receiving His blessing and the inspiration He alone can give, then going forth into the work to act their prayers, knowing they are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

Jacob-like wrestling in prayer is the way to obtain victory over the world by earnest, sincere pleading with God in secret, remaining in the closet and refusing to leave until strength in God is felt, until unutterable longings for salvation are awakened and sweet evidence of pardoned sin is obtained, after which watching and praying keeps the grace of God appearing in the life. It is how to hold an important position for God, by believing, hoping, praying, watching with all diligence before and behind and on every side, and working earnestly and intelligently, with prayer and work joined together, praying and working and working and praying, refusing human notions and unconsecrated influence. It means getting down before God and holding on until victory is gained and victory over the powers of darkness can be shouted, taking hold of the work of the Lord with as much energy as daily labor and serving God heartily, lovingly, and delightfully. God is greater and mightier in power than Satan the adversary, so there is no need to fear the adversary will be stronger, and those who cooperate with divine agency receive liberally supplied sufficiency and grace from Him who loved them and come off more than conquerors. Earnest prayer with God must replace dull, sleepy, indifferent service to resist temptations of the enemy, and by the grace bestowed in that wrestling a vigorous Christianity is gained. A person can wrestle with God in earnest prayer and through faith overcome, as applied even to seeking God's help to leave tobacco behind.

This wrestling includes earnest, importunate prayer for the Holy Spirit and for the gift and outpouring of the Spirit. It is wrestling in prayer to obtain blessing and enjoy the outpouring of His Spirit, seeking God with importunity for that gift. Fervent prayer is effective, and God can answer by turning human thoughts and hearts. It is also wrestling for strength and the Spirit to remain faithful to solemn commitment, after the pattern of the all-night struggle.

Trials can bring a needed revelation of God's presence and blessing, as at daybreak the divine touch revealed to Jacob whom he had been contending with, and helpless and weeping he clung and received the blessing his soul longed for. Yet God comes near and His people can mistake the Visitor for an enemy, wrestling against Him rather than recognizing Him. Failure to recognize God when He comes leaves people destitute of the quickening, cleansing influences of the Spirit of God that wash out moral impurity when sin is confessed, because they treat as hostile opposition the One who came to bless. Recognizing Him brings blessing and cleansing when sin is confessed.

Those who struggle in prayer for souls and do not give up receive God's favor, for God answers the prayer of faith and blesses those who seek Him as one acknowledging need and pleading in earnest faith like Jacob. Those who recognize their need and seek God sincerely can come to Him for counsel and enlightenment, striving earnestly for His blessing and instruction. Like Jacob on his night of wrestling before meeting Esau, people in urgent need may present their cases to God repeatedly and trust He will answer in His own time and way, bless them, and provide what they need.