Jacob was alone

Genesis 32 “So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled (abaq—to grapple, get dusty) with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower, he touch the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me."  The man asked him, “What is your name.” Jacob.” He answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob but Israel because you have struggled with God and with man and have overcome.”

Jacob means heel grabber, he was born grabbing his twin brother’s heel , called (zxa—to grasp or possess coming from a struggle in the womb), and continued to grab at throughout their lives until he left with brother Easu’s birthright blessing. Saw in a Nooma lesson, that Jacob was ready to leave behind that title and move through life with another. Really?

Not condemning Rob Bell, he is a highly effective teacher, but I did not see that exactly, in the story. What I see is Jacob is now grabbing onto God, not willing to let go until the relationship is settled. Releasing a hold on one thing (in this case a brother) and taking hold of and wrestling (living/relating) with God.

Jacob was left alone…It’s as if God waited for that moment, Jacob alone.

Jacob was about confront his long lost wronged brother (his past, his pathos) the next day, he wanted to walk into that with an assurance of his relationship with God established, known. He was blessed with confidence of knowing the connection and that the connection was a struggle.

I need to isolate myself from those thing that I hold onto, and wrestle with God. Not hold onto my kids, but wrestle with God as to the best parenting which reflects his will. Not hold onto my husband, but wrestle with God to learn about a grace filled marriage. Not hold onto my work, reputation, friendships but wrestle with God for qualities that reflect His character.

Perhaps Bell is correct, Jacob was ready (alone) to confront the past, the labels, but more importantly he was willing and active in holding onto God, not just letting go.