This night of wrestling is not primarily about Jacob getting something out of God. This contest is about God getting something out of Jacob. Remember, Jacob did not go looking for the struggle. God came to Him, and for a while, Jacob had no idea what was going on. 

No matter how much I struggled, there was no relief. I could not win the fight. At the time, none of it made any sense. Who or what was this enemy anyway? All I saw was wave after wave crashing upon me. I fought and fought but to no avail. At first, I was resolved to win, but the battle continued, the night was long, and my strength was spent.

It was also lonely. No matter how many people came to encourage me and let me know they were concerned, they could not take this burden from me. When you face a dark time like this, you do everything you can to be as light of a load as possible on your loved ones. Even though they carry some of the weight, there is a portion of it that you always have to bear alone.

I continued to fight, but the battle seemed unending. I fought to subdue it until it broke me. Its accuracy was so perfect that it struck right where I thought I was strong. My strength was conquered, and I was no longer able to contend, but in my brokenness, something happened. I recognized the hand that was heavy upon me.

Just like the story of Jacob wrestling with God, we can sometimes be left alone for a long night of combat, and, like Jacob, we often fail to see the complete picture. Some say that through his persistence, Jacob prevailed and was blessed. This view is why we often see it as a picture of our need to prevail in prayer, and I believe that is a truth we can draw from this time in Jacob’s life. However, I believe there is something more.

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