Jacob has prepared himself to finally meet the man who has been his lifetime nemesis. Esau stole the love of Jacob’s father, Esau meant no blessing, Esau made Jacob have to leave home. Finally, he is going to get everything straightened out. Then he hears someone and begins wrestling.

Before I describe the wrestling match, see that Jacob met God alone. Many who never experience the life changing work of God, never seek him alone. We live during a time when civic morality is huge, God bless America. The debates still rage about keeping God in the marketplace of ideas. But the real change takes place at home.

One principal addressed his teachers thus: I know some are upset that we will no longer pray in the classroom. But I ask you, are you praying for them at home?

Are you frustrated that Christianity has not changed you? Are you wrestling with God alone? Worship is important, bible study is important, community group is important. But if you want to change, if you want God’s blessing, you will have to wrestle for it alone.

A. Restraint

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.

Jacob wrestles, but it is not Esau that he is fighting. Jacob wrestles with God himself. In this text we have a fascinating irony. The angel cannot overcome Jacob, but all he has to do is touch the strongest muscle in Jacob’s body, and that touch dislocates Jacob’s hip.

I know some of you are troubled to now. You wonder where is the grace of God in this story. All this talk about Repentance and Restitution. Where is the grace?

God’s tremendous grace is seen throughout. Jacob certainly notices – I have seen God face to face and lived. What did Jacob do to deserve this personal encounter with God? How in the world did Jacob fight all night with God and not get turned into a cinder?

God restrains his strength like a father, wrestling with his children. And God graciously restrains himself, giving just enough force so that Jacob will get the point.

B. Revelation

Everything changes with the Angel dislocates Jacob’s hip. He sees his weakness.

In immense pain, he realizes who he was fighting.

He has been fighting against God. Not just now, but his entire life he had been mad at God, and trying to force God to bless him the way he wanted to be blessed. Stealing Esau’s inheritance, stealing Isaac’s blessing, bargaining at Bethel, and haggling with Laban had all been attempts to force God to bless him.

In terror of being left alone, he begs for the blessing.