I'm Not Letting Go Unless

I'm Not Letting Go Unless

Introduction

Genesis 32:22–32 KJV 1900

22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. 23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 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. 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. 32 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.

"That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' The man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.' Jacob said, 'Please tell me your name.' But he replied, 'Why do you ask my name?' Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, 'It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.' The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon."

Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil and let us see what we are made of."

Just as Jacob wrestled in the wilderness, we too wrestle with our own trials, our own questions, our own fears. But what can we learn from Jacob's wrestling match? How can his struggle inform our own?

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we examine the life of Jacob today, we pray that you will open our hearts and minds to the lessons you have for us. Help us to see the relevance of this ancient story in our modern lives. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to understand and apply your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

In our time together, we will examine three main points from this passage: Deception and Destiny, Divine Wrestling Match, and Determination for Blessing. As we do so, let's remember that the struggles we face, the questions we ask, the doubts we harbor, are not signs of weakness, but opportunities for growth, for transformation, for blessing. Just as Jacob emerged from his wrestling match with a new name and a new destiny, so too can we emerge from our struggles with renewed faith and purpose.

Deception and Destiny

Jacob, the man at the center of our story, was no stranger to deception. His life was marked by it. He tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright and deceived his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. He was also on the receiving end of deception when his uncle Laban tricked him into marrying Leah instead of Rachel. Deception was a recurring theme in Jacob's life.

But Jacob's story is not just about deception. It's also about destiny. Despite his flaws and mistakes, God had a plan for Jacob. He was chosen by God to carry on the covenant God made with Abraham and Isaac. His descendants would become the twelve tribes of Israel. His life was part of a bigger story, a divine plan.

Now, let's look at the first aspect of this idea. Jacob's deception was not without consequences. His actions caused strife within his family and forced him to flee from his brother's wrath. He spent years in exile, working for his uncle Laban. His life was marked by conflict and hardship, a direct result of his deceptive ways.

Yet, in the midst of his trials, Jacob encountered God. He saw a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. God stood above it and reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac. Despite his deception, God did not abandon Jacob. He was still part of God's plan.

The second aspect is the transformation in Jacob's life. After years of deception, Jacob had a life-changing encounter with God. He wrestled with a man till daybreak, who was later revealed to be God. This wrestling match was a turning point in Jacob's life. It marked the end of his deceptive ways and the beginning of his destiny as Israel, the father of the twelve tribes.

The third aspect is the significance of Jacob's new name, Israel. The name Israel means "he struggles with God." This name signifies Jacob's struggle and his transformation. It's a reminder of his wrestling match with God and his perseverance. It's also a testament to God's grace and mercy. Despite his past, Jacob was given a new identity and a new destiny.

The fourth aspect is the impact of Jacob's story on us. Jacob's life is a testament to God's faithfulness and grace. Despite his deception, God did not abandon him. He was still part of God's plan. His life serves as a reminder that our mistakes and failures do not define us. God can and will use us for His purposes, just like He used Jacob.

In conclusion, Jacob's story is a powerful reminder of God's grace and faithfulness. Despite his deception, Jacob was part of God's plan. He was chosen to carry on the covenant and his descendants became the twelve tribes of Israel. His life serves as a testament to God's grace and a reminder that our past does not define our future. God has a plan for each of us, just like He had a plan for Jacob.

Divine Wrestling Match

As we continue to navigate through the narrative, we find ourselves in the midst of a divine wrestling match. A match that is not just physical but also spiritual, a struggle that is not only personal but also universal. This encounter between Jacob and the mysterious figure is a pivotal moment in his life, a moment that holds significant implications for us as well.

In the quiet solitude of the night, Jacob finds himself wrestling with a man until daybreak. This is no ordinary man, as we soon discover. The man is divine, a representation of God Himself. This wrestling match is not just a physical struggle, but a spiritual one. It's a struggle of faith, a struggle of identity, a struggle of destiny. It's a struggle that each one of us can relate to in our own lives.

The wrestling match takes place at the ford of the Jabbok, a place of crossing, a place of transition. It's a place where Jacob is forced to confront his past, his fears, his failures. It's a place where he must wrestle with God and with himself. The wrestling match at Jabbok is a metaphor for the struggles we face in our own lives, the internal battles we fight, the spiritual wrestling matches we engage in. It's a reminder that our struggles are not in vain, that our wrestling is not without purpose.

In the midst of the wrestling match, the man touches the socket of Jacob's hip, causing it to be wrenched. This is a significant moment in the narrative. It's a moment of pain, a moment of vulnerability, a moment of transformation. The touch on Jacob's hip is not just a physical touch, but a spiritual one. It's a touch that changes Jacob, that leaves a mark on him, that shapes his destiny. It's a touch that each one of us can experience in our own lives, a touch that can transform us, that can leave a mark on us, that can shape our destiny.

The Hebrew word for "touched" used in this passage is "naga". This word is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. In Exodus 19:12, it is used to describe the command given to the Israelites not to touch the mountain where God was revealing Himself to Moses. In Leviticus 5:2-3, it is used to describe the ceremonial uncleanliness that comes from touching something unclean. In 2 Samuel 6:6-7, it is used to describe Uzzah touching the Ark of the Covenant, resulting in his death. In each of these instances, the word "naga" carries a sense of sacredness, a sense of reverence, a sense of awe. It's a reminder that our encounters with God are not to be taken lightly, that our interactions with the divine are sacred, that our touch with the holy is transformative.

As we further consider the wrestling match, we see that Jacob refuses to let go of the man until he receives a blessing. This is a testament to Jacob's tenacity, his determination, his faith. It's a testament to his desire for God's favor, his longing for God's blessing, his yearning for God's approval. It's a testament that each one of us can echo in our own lives, a testament that can inspire us, that can challenge us, that can motivate us.

Finally, we see that the wrestling match results in a change in Jacob's name. He is no longer Jacob, but Israel, one who has struggled with God and with humans and has overcome. This change in name is not just a change in identity, but a change in destiny. It's a change that signifies a new beginning, a new purpose, a new mission. It's a change that each one of us can experience in our own lives, a change that can redefine us, that can repurpose us, that can redirect us.

Determination for Blessing

As we turn our attention to the third point, we find ourselves in the heart of the narrative, where Jacob's determination for blessing takes center stage. This is where the rubber meets the road, where faith meets action, where hope meets reality. It's in this moment that Jacob, despite his pain and exhaustion, clings to the mysterious figure, refusing to let go until he receives a blessing.

Jacob's determination for blessing is not just about his physical struggle. It's about his spiritual struggle, his emotional struggle, his existential struggle. It's about his longing for affirmation, for validation, for a sense of purpose and destiny. It's about his desire to be seen, to be known, to be loved by God.

In the midst of his wrestling, Jacob makes a bold declaration: "I will not let you go unless you bless me." This is not a desperate plea or a last-ditch effort. It's a statement of faith, a declaration of dependence, a testament to his tenacity and resilience. Jacob understands that the blessing he seeks is not something he can earn or achieve on his own. It's a gift, a grace, a divine favor that can only come from God.

"God waits to be wanted." This is precisely what we see in Jacob's wrestling match. God is not aloof or distant. He is present, engaged, involved. He waits for Jacob to express his desire, his longing, his need for blessing. And when Jacob does, God responds with grace and favor.

But Jacob's determination for blessing is not just about his personal struggle. It's also about his role in God's redemptive plan. Jacob is not just wrestling for himself. He's wrestling for his family, for his descendants, for the future of God's chosen people. His struggle is not just a personal quest for blessing. It's a communal quest for blessing, a generational quest for blessing, a covenantal quest for blessing.

In the end, Jacob's determination for blessing results in a new identity and a new destiny. He is no longer Jacob, the deceiver, the supplanter, the trickster. He is now Israel, the one who struggles with God and overcomes. His struggle is not in vain. His pain is not pointless. His wrestling is not wasted. It leads to blessing, to transformation, to a new beginning.

So, what does this mean for us? How can we apply this to our own lives? First, we need to recognize our own need for blessing. Like Jacob, we need to acknowledge our dependence on God, our need for His grace and favor. We need to express our desire, our longing, our need for blessing. We need to be honest about our struggles, our doubts, our fears. We need to be real with God, to wrestle with Him, to cling to Him, to refuse to let go until He blesses us.

Second, we need to understand that our struggle for blessing is not just about us. It's about our families, our communities, our world. It's about our role in God's redemptive plan. We are not just wrestling for ourselves. We are wrestling for others, for the future, for the kingdom of God. Our struggle is not just a personal quest for blessing. It's a communal quest for blessing, a generational quest for blessing, a covenantal quest for blessing.

So, let's take a cue from Jacob. Let's wrestle with God. Let's cling to Him. Let's refuse to let go until He blesses us. Let's be determined for blessing. Let's be determined for transformation. Let's be determined for a new beginning. Let's be determined for God.

Conclusion

As we close today, let's remember that our struggles, our wrestling matches with God, are not in vain. They're part of our journey, part of our transformation. Like Jacob, we may come out of these struggles a little bruised, a little battered, but we also come out stronger, wiser, and blessed. We come out with a new identity, a new purpose, a new destiny.

And isn't that just like our God? He takes our pain, our struggles, our wrestling, and He turns it into something beautiful. He takes our brokenness and makes us whole. He takes our questions and gives us answers. He takes our doubts and gives us faith. He takes our fears and gives us courage. And He takes our wrestling and gives us a blessing.

So, as we go out into the world, let's remember that we serve a God who loves us, who is for us, who is with us in the wrestling. And let's remember that the wrestling is not the end of the story. It's just a part of the journey, a journey that leads to blessing, to transformation, to destiny.

Let's pray. Dear God, thank you for being with us in the wrestling. Thank you for your love, your grace, your mercy. Thank you for turning our struggles into blessings, our questions into answers, our doubts into faith. As we leave this place, help us to remember that we are not alone, that you are with us, that you are for us. Help us to trust in your goodness, your love, your plan for our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

And now, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Go in peace, knowing that you are loved, you are blessed, and you are destined for greatness. Amen.