22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.
Jacob was supposed to face his brother Esau the next day to ask for forgiveness and to make restitution for having stolen his brother's birth right. He had sent his children and wives over the river to go ahead of him in preparation to meet his brother. He didn't know what would come out of this, whether his brother would forgive him or not, so he decided to stay behind to consult God in prayer. During his prayers, an angel from the Lord wrestled with him. What does this mean? It means that Jacob was praying fervently with agony, pain, and uncertainty in his mind. He needed answers for the task ahead of him was great. He felt his prayers was being hindered so he kept going and would not let go until he had heard from God. We have to go to God with our supplications in fervency and groaning in spirit. Hosea 12:4 describes it best, "Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us." Jacob wrestled with his mind, body, and soul. He felt the tiredness and weakness in his body (corporal wrestling) yet his spirit would not give up until he had a clear response from the Lord. This is spiritual wresting. Spiritual wrestling involve vigorous acting of faith and holy desire. When you wrestle with God in faith you find him just as Jacob found him in Bethel. Never give up when you pray and feel God has not provided the answer. Keep praying! Great wrestlers never give up until they win.
Jacob won the wrestling match in prayer so he received the reward of his struggle, "Spiritual and physical blessings." His name was changed forever just because of one act of faith. “Jacob,” the supplanter, cheat and skimmer, was now to be called "Israel." He was now to be celebrated, not for craft and artful management, but for true valor. He was crowned to be a prince with God, a name greater than those of the great men of the earth.He knew God will provide him the answer to his prayers so he prevailed and travailed in it. Job knew this as well so in all his struggles and tribulations, he said, " Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me." Job 23:6(KJV)
Go to God in fervent prayers and He will answer you no matter your requests!
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