Pro-wrestling? Yes, I am talking about professional wrestlers, not the ones in WWF or in that movie “Nacho Libre” but the ones that are found in the bible, more specifically in the book of Genesis chapter 32.
As I was writing my book and reading over the passage, a funny thought occurred to me, the thought that God loves to physically wrestle with his people. Have you ever watched two siblings (usually boys) wrestle in the living room, all the while laughing and grasping at each other trying to get the best hold on the other? I believe this is the kind of wrestling that God wants to engage in with us. –and God is not just good at it, but he’s a Pro.
Still wondering where this is leading? Well, in Genesis chapter 32 Jacob wrestled with God for a blessing, and they both wrestled all night and into the dawn. Here’s an excerpt from my book:
That night Jacob got up and sent everyone across the stream with all of his possessions leaving Jacob alone. Genesis 32:24 “…and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” Interesting to note that Jacob was fully awake, this was not a dream or a vision, but a physical encounter with the living God.
When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Verse 26 “Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ “
Jacob knew that this was a heavenly messenger and that he had the capability of blessing him. There he goes again, chasing after the blessing of God. Was this because he recognized this man as the Lord? The last time he saw the Lord, was when he was surrounded by angels and then the Lord spoke blessing over him. Jacob realized the value of blessing.
Then the man asked Jacob what his name was and told him that his name will now be Israel, because he has struggled with God and with men and have overcome. Then he blessed him there (vs.29) the bible doesn’t say exactly what the blessing was. But if you look at the text, just by changing his name from Jacob to Israel, was the blessing. From his name, came the name of the nation of Israel.
Jacob calls the place Peniel, saying, “It was because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Jacob came away from that with only a limp from his hip, but the Lord was showing mercy to Jacob. If God wanted to he could have overpowered Jacob unto death, but that wasn’t part of God’s plan. He simply wanted to give Jacob another blessing and Jacob wanted to make sure that the Lord didn’t leave without giving him one. Wow, Jacob was determined!
Jacob didn’t just chase after the blessings of God, but realizing the value of blessings in his life, was willing to risk everything and physically wrestle with God just to receive from him. So what does that mean for us? We should get in our wrestling outfits, and head out there to the mat. ….You know what I mean, get our minds in prayer and get alone with God…… The more we practice, the better we’ll be at receiving what the Lord has for us and before you know it, you’ve gone Pro!
God is waiting for us to bless us, don’t let his presence leave without you receiving all that the Lord has for you.
What blessings have you wrestled for and received?
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