A METAPHOR FOR PRAYER.
Genesis 32:22-31.
“The ford Jabbok” (Genesis 32:22) is significant, first, in that it was the border of the land of promise (cf. Numbers 21:24). Second, it was here that Jacob had a lifechanging encounter with God, and had his name changed from Jacob to Israel (Genesis 32:28).
In anticipation of his (much feared) encounter with his estranged brother Esau, Jacob sent his family over the brook, along with “all that he had” (Genesis 32:23; cf. Genesis 32:13-21). Jacob was left “alone.” But he was not entirely alone since there was Another with him (Genesis 32:24).
Jacob's wrestling, whilst factual and historical, is nevertheless a metaphor for prayer. The place name, Jabbok, means pouring out, or emptying. This reminds me of the self-emptying of Christ (Philippians 2:7-8). It also reminds me of Jesus' prayer life, as portrayed in the Gospels.
Jabbok was a ford, a crossing place, but also, incidentally, a place where God and man met. There Jacob wrestled with a man. Surely indeed, he wrestled with the Lord, in a prayer of disciplined endurance (Genesis 32:24).
When God meets with us, it puts us all out of joint - until Jesus puts us back together again. For Jacob this was not just metaphorical, but literal: a prayer of painful perseverance (Genesis 32:25). We need to exercise a certain tenacity in prayer, not easily giving up.
Jacob was persistent in prayer, refusing to let his opponent go until he procured the desired blessing (Genesis 32:26). Thereby Jacob - whose name means 'usurper' - had power to prevail with God and man. Jesus the great intermediary has power with God and man, and empowers US to prevail with God and man.
Jacob received a new name, Israel, which means 'a prince with God' (Genesis 32:27-28). There is a new name written in Christ's kingdom for those who overcome (Revelation 2:17). Such outpouring of ourselves, painful perseverance, tenacity in prayer - will cause us also to prevail. Thus, like Jacob, we will procure the blessing (Genesis 32:29).
Jacob called the place “Penuel” = “the face of God.” It is with some astonishment that he had “seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (Genesis 32:30; cf. Exodus 33:20; Judges 13:22; Isaiah 6:5; Luke 5:8). It is good for us that we may ‘boldly approach the throne of grace’ (Hebrews 4:16), in the name and by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, without any fear that it might cost us our lives!
The sun arose that morning as a lone figure passed over Penuel, “halting upon his thigh” (Genesis 32:31). Jacob emerged from his encounter a changed man. Such is the power of prayer.
