Genesis 32
Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. Jacob saw them and said, “This is God’s host.”
You remember Jacob had deceived his brother Esau and stolen his blessing. Now Jacob was afraid, for he knew soon he would meet Esau. Twenty years before, Esau had promised to kill him. Would he kill his wives and children too? Jacob did not know. So he sent messengers to meet Esau first, to tell him that he was coming back. The messengers returned and told Jacob, “We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee and four hundred men with him!” Then Jacob was greatly afraid, for he remembered his past. He knew too that he had never followed God closely. What trouble!
What could he do? Nothing! A man with several women, eleven children, a multitude of cattle, and a few servants, could not face those four hundred strong, angry men! Jacob could not escape except by God’s power.
For many years Jacob had trusted his own strength and plans, but now he could do nothing. Yet he still planned, so he sent a very large gift to Esau. He sent many sheep, camels, and cattle. He divided his other cattle into two bands, in case one band was killed, he hoped the other might escape. He sent his wives and children over the river first. Yet, he knew his only hope was in God. So Jacob prayed to God as he had never prayed before. He had bargained with God. Yes. But this time—how different, he prayed! Have you ever really prayed? A man in great trouble can really pray. Have you ever seen that you are losing your precious soul, on the way to hell, and God only can save? Then cry, “God be merciful to me, a sinner!” “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow,” and trust on the Lord’s precious blood to take away all your sins. Jacob prayed to God truly. He told God that He Himself had told him to return home, and had promised: “I will deal well with thee.” He confessed, “I am not worthy.” The Lord Jesus says, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If you plead God’s promises, and confess you are not worthy, but only a lost sinner, He will hear your prayer. Tell Jesus you are coming to Him, just as you are, and He promises, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”
Jacob said to God, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of the truth which Thou hast showed unto thy servant.” False and crooked, he had been, but Jacob was now before God, and he saw himself in the light of heaven; he saw how he had deceived his old father; cheated his brother; made bargains with God, and deceived his uncle. You and I are not worthy, but God shows His mercy and truth to us bad, crooked sinners. Let us come and tell it all to God.
Jacob kept on, “Deliver me, I pray Thee, from the hand of my brother Esau; for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.” And, “Thou saidst I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea which cannot be numbered for multitude.” Did God hear that prayer? Surely!
That night Jacob was alone. An angel wrestled with him. That angel really was God Himself. Jacob wrestled all night in his own strength. Afterward, the angel touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh, so it was out of joint, and strength was gone. The angel said, “Let me go, for the day breaketh.” Jacob said, “I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me.” The angel said, “What is thy name?” He said, “Jacob” (“Supplanter” or, “Cheater”). The angel said, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel” (“a prince of God”).
That was the best night of Jacob’s life; he really prayed; he lost his old name and got a new name. Have you had such a night? Have you lost your own strength? Have you lost your old name, and got a new name—Christian? If so, it was the best day of your life.
“O happy day, that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Saviour and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice
And tell its raptures all abroad!