Do you feel like you are wrestling with God through the trials and tribulations of life? You are not alone. Following God and being guided by God is not a matter of passive obedience and easy belief, but of passionate engagement and wrestling with God through the worst of life. This is illustrated in the life of Jacob, who wrestled emotionally with the consequences of running from one swindle to the next, endangering himself and his family and leaving a trail of destruction. In the midst of this emotional struggle, he encounters and wrestles with God:
Genesis 32.9–31 [9] Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, LORD, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ [10] I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. [11] Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. [12] But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”
[22] That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. [23] After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. [24] So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. [25] When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. [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.” [27] The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered.
[28] Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with human beings and have overcome.” [29] Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. [30] So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” [31] The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.
The identity of the people of Israel, both in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, is intricately tied to the story of Jacob and his wrestling with God. Jacob's encounter with God represents a significant moment of struggle, transformation, and divine blessing. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the ongoing spiritual journey and wrestling that characterizes the people of Israel, including the original Israelites and the Church as the "New Israel."
Jacob and the Original Israelites:
- Jacob's Struggle: In Genesis 32:22-32, Jacob wrestles with an angel or a divine being throughout the night. Despite being physically wounded, Jacob refuses to let go until he receives a blessing. This encounter symbolizes Jacob's determination, perseverance, and his desire for God's favor.
- Identity as Israel: Following the wrestling match, God renames Jacob as Israel, which means "one who struggles with God" or "God strives." This name change signifies a transformation in Jacob's character and his new role as the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
- The Struggle of the Israelites: The story of Jacob's wrestling with God becomes a foundational narrative for the Israelite people. It reflects their collective identity as a people who wrestle with God, facing challenges, doubts, and the need for divine guidance throughout their history.
- Continuity in Struggle: The Church, as the "New Israel," inherits the legacy of the original Israelites. Followers of God, both Jews and Christians, continue to grapple with spiritual challenges, seeking God's truth, guidance, and blessings in their lives.
- Wrestling with Faith: Just as Jacob wrestled with God, members of the Church engage in a spiritual struggle, grappling with questions of faith, personal sin, and the pursuit of holiness. This struggle is seen in the journey of individual Christians as well as the collective life of the Church.
- Scriptural Examples: Various passages in the New Testament emphasize the continuity between the original people of Israel and the Church as the "New Israel":
- Romans 11:17-24 speaks of Gentile believers being grafted into the olive tree of Israel.
- Galatians 6:16 refers to the "Israel of God," encompassing both Jewish and Gentile believers.
- 1 Peter 2:9-10 describes the Church as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, echoing language used to describe Israel in the Old Testament.
This theme of wrestling with God in hope and faith and justice is not only found in the story of Jacob, but across all of Scripture. Here are just a few of many examples:
Abraham (Genesis 18): Abraham argues God into saving people from destruction in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18.23–33 [23] Then Abraham came near and said [to God], “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? [24] Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? [25] Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” [26] And the LORD said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.” [27] Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. [28] Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” [29] Again he spoke to him, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” [30] Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” [31] He said, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” [32] Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” [33] And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
Sarah and Hagar both experienced wrestling with God in their unique circumstances. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, struggled with infertility for many years. Sarah's laughter at the promise of bearing a child in her old age (Genesis 18) reflected her skepticism and difficulty in believing the seemingly impossible. It revealed her human struggle to trust in God's faithfulness and overcome the limitations of her own understanding. She doubted God's promise of a son and took matters into her own hands by giving her maid, Hagar, to Abraham to bear a child (Genesis 16:1-4). This decision led to conflict and tension between Sarah and Hagar. However, God remained faithful to His promise and eventually blessed Sarah with a son in her old age, whom she named Isaac (Genesis 21:1-7). Sarah's journey represents the struggle of faith, navigating doubts, impatience, and the challenge of surrendering to God's timing. On the other hand, Hagar, an Egyptian slave, experienced her own wrestling with God in the midst of her mistreatment and displacement. After becoming pregnant with Abraham's child, she faced Sarah's jealousy and harsh treatment. Fleeing into the wilderness, Hagar encountered an angel of the Lord who comforted her, assuring her of God's plan for her and her unborn child (Genesis 16:7-16). Hagar's encounter with God provided her with hope, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose which was later confirmed by God (Genesis 21.17–18).
Moses (Exodus 3:1-4:17): Moses has a wrestling-like encounter with God at the burning bush. He initially resists God's call to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, raising objections and expressing his inadequacy. Through a back-and-forth dialogue, Moses wrestles with God's plan but eventually submits to His will.
Job (Job 23:1-17; 38.1-42.9): Job engages in a deep struggle with God amidst his immense suffering. He longs to present his case before God, seeking answers and understanding. Job wrestles with questions of justice, his own righteousness, and the hidden purposes of God.
Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-18): The prophet Jeremiah experiences a wrestling-like struggle with his calling. He faces opposition, persecution, and inner turmoil as he speaks God's words to an unresponsive audience. Jeremiah wrestles with doubts, despair, and the cost of his obedience.
The Psalms of Lament: Many psalms express a wrestling or struggling dynamic between the psalmist and God. Psalms of lament, such as Psalm 13, Psalm 22, and Psalm 88, reveal a deep struggle with God in times of distress, feeling abandoned, and seeking answers. Notably, Psalm 22 uses words Jesus would later quote on the cross: Psalm 22.1–5 [1] My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? [2] My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. [3] Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. [4] In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. [5] They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
The stories of Esther and Judith depict courageous women who wrestled with God in the face of great adversity. Esther, a Jewish woman living in Persia, found herself in a position of influence as the queen. When the Jewish people faced annihilation, Esther wrestled with her own fears and uncertainties, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need for intervention. She chose to risk her own life by approaching the king and revealing her identity, ultimately saving her people from destruction (Esther 4:14-16, Esther 7:1-6). Similarly, Judith, a widow in the ancient city of Bethulia, wrestled with God's will as her city faced siege by the Assyrian army. Driven by her faith and love for her people, Judith embarked on a daring plan: Infiltrating the enemy camp, seducing their general, Holofernes, and beheading him, leading to the deliverance of her city (Judith 13:1-10). Both Esther and Judith exhibited tremendous courage and relied on their deep trust in God's providence, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Their stories remind us of the power of faith, determination, and the transformative role of individuals in God's larger plan for the deliverance and protection of His people.
Jesus' ministry begins as he literally wrestles with Satan in a struggle to stay faithful to God during his 40 day desert fast (Matthew 4.1-11). At the end of his ministry in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46), Jesus experiences a profound struggle as He faces His impending crucifixion. He wrestles with the weight of His mission, the agony of the upcoming suffering, and the submission to God's will. Jesus prays, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39). This prayer even has physical manifestations of wrestling with God: “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22.44).
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had a profound experience of wrestling with God throughout her life. As a young girl, she was visited by the angel Gabriel and received the startling news that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). This encounter presented Mary with a significant wrestle of faith as she sought to understand and accept God's extraordinary plan. Despite the uncertainties and potential challenges, Mary demonstrated her trust in God's will by proclaiming, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Her journey continued with various moments of wrestling, including the challenges of becoming a mother and raising Jesus, witnessing His ministry, and enduring the pain of His crucifixion. Mary's presence at the foot of the cross (John 19:25-27) reveals the immense agony she faced as a mother, wrestling with the divine purpose behind her son's suffering. Yet, even in the midst of her sorrow, Mary remained steadfast in her faith. Ultimately, her journey exemplifies a deep trust in God's plan, a willingness to surrender to His will, and an unwavering devotion to her son, Jesus. Mary's wrestling with God exemplifies the human struggle to comprehend and align oneself with the divine purpose, demonstrating her remarkable faith and submission to God's extraordinary plan.
Peter the Apostle: His relationship with Jesus can be seen as a continuous wrestling with God, characterized by moments of doubt, denial, restoration, and growth. Before the resurrection, Peter was passionate and impulsive, often voicing his devotion to Jesus. However, he also experienced moments of wavering faith, such as when he doubted Jesus' walking on water (Matthew 14:28-31) and when he debated with Jesus about his death and was called “Satan” by Jesus (Matthew 16.13-28). During Jesus' trial and crucifixion, Peter infamously denied knowing Jesus three times, succumbing to fear and weakness (Matthew 26:69-75). After the resurrection, Jesus sought Peter out, emphasizing forgiveness and reconciliation (John 21:15-19). Peter's restoration marked a turning point as he embraced his role as a leader in the early Church, preaching boldly and facing persecution. Peter's journey reflects the wrestling process of confronting personal limitations, acknowledging failures, receiving forgiveness, and ultimately growing in faith and purpose, demonstrating the redemptive power of God's grace.
Thomas the Apostle (John 11.16; 14.5; 20.24, 26–28): Known as "Doubting Thomas," he wrestles with God as he struggled to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Despite witnessing the miracles and teachings of Jesus, Thomas faced a crisis of faith when confronted with the reality of Jesus' crucifixion. His demand for physical evidence reflected his longing for certainty and his struggle to reconcile the shocking events. Jesus graciously met Thomas in his doubt, allowing him to touch His wounds, leading to a transformative encounter. Thomas's story reminds believers that wrestling with doubt is part of the faith journey and highlights the importance of seeking answers, honest questioning, and ultimately finding resolution through encountering the truth of who Jesus is.
Mary Magdalene and her sister Martha had a profound experience of wrestling with God, each in their own way. Mary Magdalene, mentioned in several Gospel accounts, encountered Jesus and experienced His transformative power. She had a history of being possessed by demons but found healing and liberation through Jesus (Luke 8:2). Mary's journey included witnessing Jesus' crucifixion, grieving at His tomb, and encountering the risen Christ at the empty tomb (John 20:1-18). Her initial confusion and sorrow turned into profound joy and conviction as she recognized her resurrected Lord. According to Church tradition, this led to Mary becoming an Apostle who preached the Gospel across the ancient world. Martha, on the other hand, is known for her interaction with Jesus during the death and resurrection of her brother Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Martha initially expressed disappointment in Jesus for not arriving sooner to prevent Lazarus' death, revealing her struggle with understanding God's timing and purposes. However, in her conversation with Jesus, Martha's faith and understanding deepened, as she declared her belief in Him as the Messiah. Both Mary Magdalene and Martha exemplify wrestling with God through doubts, questions, grief, and ultimately transformative encounters.
The Apostle Paul had a life and ministry that can be characterized as a profound wrestling with God. Prior to his conversion, Paul, then known as Saul, fiercely persecuted the early Christian community, driven by his zeal for the Jewish law (Acts 8:1-3, Acts 9:1-2). However, his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-9) marked a transformative turning point. Paul underwent a radical shift in his beliefs, relinquishing his previous zeal for the law to embrace the gospel of grace. Throughout his ministry, Paul faced numerous challenges, opposition, and hardships, enduring imprisonments, beatings, and persecution for the sake of the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Additionally, Paul wrestled with personal struggles, such as a thorn in the flesh, which he pleaded with God to remove (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Yet, in the midst of his wrestling, Paul developed a deep understanding of God's grace, proclaiming the power of Christ's resurrection and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. His letters, such as those to the Corinthians and the Romans, exemplify his ongoing wrestling with theological questions, ethical dilemmas, and the application of faith in practical life.
Thus, wrestling with God is not an exceptional experience in following Christ. It is expected and even normal. God wants us to wrestle with God to experience a life of faithfulness, peace, hope, and joy, and bring about a world of greater justice, equity, compassion, and mercy. Only by wrestling for what is good, true, and beautiful can we join with God in the struggle to heal ourselves, heal our communities, and heal our world. As Jesus tells his disciples:
Matthew 16.24-27 [24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [25] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. [26] What good will it be for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can you give in exchange for your soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward everyone according to what they have done.
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