by Islay Burns (1817â1872)
âAnd he [Jacob] arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacobâs hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, âLet Me go, for the day breaks.â But he said, âI will not let You go unless You bless me!ââ
- Genesis 32:22-26
The glorious Being who here appears is manifestly the Angel of the LORD [Yahweh]. Jacob not only sees the mysterious form, but he embraces and grapples with Him in conflict, as one strong man wrestles with another. How all this was accomplished, in a scene where everything was miraculous and supernatural, it is of course needless to inquire. A more important and interesting question concerns the essential nature and meaning of the contest itself. Perhaps we do not greatly err in conceiving of it somewhat as follows.
While pleading alone upon his knees for the safety of his little flock and the divine aid for the trying scenes of the morrow, Jacob becomes conscious of another presence near. He beholds a glorious form of more than earthly majesty approaching. He recognizes, or thinks he does, the mysterious stranger as none other than the Angel of the Divine presence, the same who appeared to Adam in the cool of the day and to Abraham at the tent door of Mamre. Jacob welcomes the sign as a token for good and concludes that his prayer is heard.
Hoping for some assurance, he hastens to throw himself at the Divine strangerâs feet. âOh, that You would bless me indeed, that You would assure me that You are indeed with me, that You will never leave me, that You will stand by my side in the great hour of trial that is near at hand!â The Angel hears but does not answer, and moves as if about to depart. In agony, Jacob prays yet more earnestly, but still there is no response. The Angel stands silent and motionless, as if in deep thought. Finally He seems to come to some decision and hastily turns to leave. In his extremity Jacob lays hold upon Him. But the Angel firmly resists, and so they wrestle together until the dawning of the day. At last the Angel, as if to end the strife, exclaims, âLet me go, for the day breaks.â Jacob replies, in those words which have lived in the hearts of all true wrestlers ever since, âI will not let You go except You bless me.â
The Lordâs design is now fulfilled. Jacobâs faith is fully tried. Humility, patience, persevering earnestness, trust in God, hope against hopeâall stimulated to the highest point in the trialâhave had their perfect work. Jacob has now gained the blessing, not by languid wishes or drowsy prayers but by a real victory of faith fairly and nobly won on the battlefield: âAnd He blessed him there.â
How fully that blessing was fulfilled we need not take time to tell. The melting scene on the morrow speaks too well for itself. The brothers meet, not to grapple in enmity but to embrace in love. Warm tears of relenting tenderness seal their reconciliation and drown in forgetfulness all that was past. What blessed tears! Blessed for Jacob as a token of his brotherâs forgiveness and of Godâs mercy. More blessed still for Esau, because he then learned how unutterably sweeter it is to forgive than to take revenge.
Let us learn the following from this history. First, how near we are, at all times, to the world unseen. Though not revealed to our earthly eyes, the unseen hosts of God are ever around the saints. Heaven, if we are the children of God, lies all about us every moment: âHe gives His angels charge over you, to keep you,â âthe angel of the LORD [Yahweh] encamps round about them that fear Him.â
Second, it is in the hours of darkness when we are nearest that unseen world. It was so with Jacob. When there was night both within and around him, then heaven was opened and the angels of God met him. It is in the dark night of sorrow that the soul has its keenest intuitions of eternal things. It is in the night alone that we see the stars. Were it not for the night, Orion and the Pleiades and all the rest of the glorious host on high would have been forever unknown. So too in the spiritual world. When the dark pall of sorrow is cast over all the bright objects of earth, then the glories of heaven come forth to view. Then the waking spirit beholds what eye has not seen nor ear heard. How many will then say, âIt is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.â In their hour of need they have found the blessed Bible another more glorious firmament, which only requires the setting of the worldâs sun to unveil its hidden glories.
Third, let us continue in prayer and refuse to be denied until the blessing comes. Let us not be discouraged by delay. Let not even an apparent denial make us cease our pleading. Remember Daniel, remember the Syro-Phoenician woman, remember the importunate widow, remember the disciples at Emmaus, and thus learn that it is always Godâs way to stir up the grace of prayer before He answers it, to fan the holy flame to its utmost ardor, to draw forth from the deep heart the most piercing cries of impassioned supplication, and then to crown it with victory and blessing.
Therefore, persevere and do not faint. Not only ask the blessing but plead for it and wait, clinging to the footstool until it comes. You will prevail at last.