Genesis 32:24 – “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.”

Who was this man, and why did he wrestle with Jacob?

Jacob had deceived his father and brother to obtain the blessing of the firstborn. As he returned home, he had to confront his past—the brother he had wronged. Though chosen to inherit God’s promise, the method he used to secure it was wrong. His deceptive nature was not pleasing to God.

We read that God wrestled with Jacob until daybreak because Jacob resisted change. He was selfish, scheming, unaware, and unrepentant. He wanted the blessing but was unwilling to surrender his old ways. Yet, God desired to bless him only when he recognized and repented of his fleshly nature.

It is written that God touched the socket of Jacob’s hip—something had to be broken for his old nature to be transformed. When God asked Jacob his name, it was a moment of introspection. By confessing his name, Jacob admitted his true nature. But God wanted to change him. He renamed Jacob (deceiver) to Israel (God rules). This acknowledgment was the turning point—Jacob was blessed only after surrendering control and allowing God to rule over his life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Just as Jacob had a promise, we, too, have a promise. We are chosen to inherit the blessings in Christ. Becoming a new creation means putting off our old self and putting on Christ. But often, like Jacob, we resist change. God still wrestles with us—breaking us, transforming us, and calling us to surrender.

The good news is that Christ still wrestles with us because He longs to rule in our lives, bless us, and fulfill His promises. The question is: Are we willing to be broken to be changed?

Make this your prayer:
“Lord, wrestle with me and break me, so I may become all that You want me to be!”