Once upon a time there was a man named Jacob. Jacob had a large family, many animals and many servants. He lived with his family and they were often on the road, because they moved from one place to another with their herds. One night, something very special happened.
Jacob was alone in one place because he had sent his family and everything he had across a river to be safe. Jacob was left alone. Suddenly, a man appeared out of nowhere. This man began to wrestle with Jacob, and they fought all night long! It was a very serious fight, and Jacob did not want to give up.
When morning came, the man noticed that Jacob was very strong and did not want to let go. Then the man touched Jacob’s hip, and it hurt immediately. Jacob limped now, but he still held on to the man. The man said, “Let me go, for morning has come!”
But Jacob would not let him go. He courageously said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me!” Then the man asked Jacob, “What is your name?” Jacob answered, “My name is Jacob.”
The man said, “From now on you shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel. For you have fought with God and man and have conquered.” Jacob knew that this man was very special, that he was sent by God, maybe even an angel.
Then the man blessed Jacob, and Jacob let him go. Calling the place “Pnuel,” Jacob said, “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been preserved.”
When the sun rose, Jacob limped because of his hip, but he was happy and knew that God had blessed him and that something new had begun in his life. God had given him a new name and a special task.
Message of history
Sometimes we struggle with difficult things in life. But God is always with us and wants to bless and strengthen us so that we can go new ways.
Bible passage
The story of Jacob wrestling with the angel is found in Genesis 32:22-32:
“And he arose that same night, and took his two wives, and his two maidservants, and his eleven sons, and crossed the ford of Jabbok; and he took her and led her across the valley, with all that he had. Jacob, however, was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until the dawn broke. And when he saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the joint of his hip, and the joint of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him. And he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he answered, “I will not leave you unless you bless me.” Then he said to him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob! Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men and you have won! And Jacob asked and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why do you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the place Pniel; for he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my soul has been saved.” And the sun rose as he passed Pniel; and he limped at his hip. That is why the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that is on the hip to this day, because he touched the hip joint of Jacob, the muscle of the hip.”
