When Jacob and Esau were grown, Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright with a meal. Later, Rebekah conspired with Jacob to trick Isaac and steal Esau’s blessing. This resulted in Esau wanting to kill his younger brother, so Jacob fled. On his journey to his mother’s homeland, he had a vision of angels and a ladder to heaven.

When Jacob reaches Haran, he meets his match in his uncle Laban. Though Jacob is in love with Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel, he is tricked into marrying her older sister, Leah. Jacob persists, however, and is finally able to marry the object of his affections. Jacob worked many years for Laban. Because of God’s protection and Jacob’s intelligence, Jacob was able to take much of Laban’s herd for himself. Finally, God directs Jacob to return to the land of his father. The problem with that is it means Jacob will have to face Esau. Will his brother’s rage still burn after all of these years?

As he approaches home, Jacob sends messengers to Esau. They return to tell him that Esau is approaching them with 400 men. Things don’t look good for Jacob. He strategically divides his people and possessions and sends them across the Jabbok river. He stays behind and prays.

It is then that he encounters a man whom he wrestles with through the night. The man injures Jacob’s hip, but still, Jacob will not let go until the man blesses him. Jacob knew that he wasn’t wrestling a man, but God himself, and refused to let go until He blessed him. Jacob names the place where the wrestling match happened “Peniel” which means “Face of God.”

Here are five lessons we can learn from Jacob’s wrestling match with God.

1. We Need Forgiveness, and it Only Comes by the Mercy of God

Jacob was guilty of what he did to Esau—and he knew it. Up until this point, Jacob had relied on his own wits for his success, but now he didn’t know what would happen. His survival was dependent on his brother’s forgiveness of his wrongdoings. Jacob had no control over his brother’s heart, but there was One who did.

“So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak” (Genesis 32:24).

It’s significant that the wrestling match happened at night. During the day we can be distracted by the busyness of life. The quiet and solitude of night makes us face the fears we hold in our heart. It was time for Jacob to see that he could no longer depend on his own strength. The forgiveness he needed to survive was out of his control.

If we are to follow God, we need to come to the point of recognizing our wrongs and our weaknesses. It is only through God’s mercy that we can be forgiven, and his grace that sees us through to the other side of the night.

2. God Honors Perseverance, Especially in Our Seeking of Him

“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. Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’” (Genesis 32:25-26).

Jacob had two admirable qualities. One was a spiritual sensitivity. This was seen when he fled from his brother and had the vision of the ladder to heaven, and again when he followed the voice of the Lord telling him to return to his homeland.

The second quality was his determination. Jacob was not a quitter. His perseverance is highlighted in his pursuit of Rachel and his patience in serving Laban to have her hand in marriage. Jacob exemplifies both qualities in his wrestling with the mysterious man. He knew it was God he wrestled with, and he refused to give up until God blessed him.

What makes this even more impactful was the moral consequences Jacob was up against. He didn’t deserve the blessing but was willing to face whatever judgment or consequence was necessary to receive it.

The consequence was not insignificant. The wrestling match left him lame, but Jacob had his blessing.

3. Our Identity Is in Christ

“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 humans and have overcome’” (Genesis 32:27-28).

Jacob had an interesting heritage. By way of His grandfather’s faith, he was in the lineage of those who would multiply into many nations. He had inherited some of his grandmother Sarah’s jealousy, some his mother’s unscrupulous wit, and some of his father’s loyalty. He was named “supplanter” at birth and lived up to his name.

Jacob in his early years was a selfish man. His love for Rachel and his loyalty to her family changes him partially, but it’s in his wrestling with God that Jacob reaches a turning point. He is given a new name: Israel, the Prince of God.

What is the significance of a new name? It is a new identity. God does this many times throughout the Bible. Jesus does the same for every new believer.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (1 Corinthians 5:17).

As we keep reading Genesis, we see that Jacob’s name switches back and forth from his old name to his new throughout his life. In Genesis 35:10, God reminds Jacob of his new name once again. This often happens with us. God gives us a new name — His beloved, a new creation in Him — but we forget who we are. Once we have wrestled with God, we should hold tightly to our new identity. We may stumble and forget who we are, but we can always come back to what God has called us to be.

4. God Wants Us to Know Him Intimately

“Jacob said, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he replied, ‘Why do you ask my name?’ Then he blessed him there” (Genesis 32:29).

Jacob knew who God was. He knew God was the God of his father and grandfather. But the God Jacob wrestled with by the Jabbok was God in the form of man; the part of the trinity who would come to earth and who would bear “…our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness….” (1 Peter 2:24.) During the wrestling match, God became the God of Jacob’s heart.

Many people know about God, but never have a true, life-changing encounter with Him. Knowing what God has done for others isn’t the same as understanding what He has done for you. God cares less about how successfully we appear to be living a righteous life and much more about the condition of our hearts. The only way to have a relationship with God is to spend time with Him. Reading the Bible, praying and worshipping with our hearts and minds fully focused on God brings us to a closer, more intimate relationship with Him.

Sometimes the biggest obstacle to spending time with God is ourselves. Our priorities get mixed up. I know that when I start my day by spending time in God’s word and/or praying, the rest of the day goes better. The actual events in my day don’t change, but my attitude does because the peace of God is with me.

5. Closeness to God Requires Humility

“The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip” (Genesis 32:31).

Jacob was made lame by his wrestling match with God. For the proud, self-sufficient, quick-witted Jacob, this physical disability was a sign of his new humility.

Humility, as defined by Marriam-Webster, means, “freedom from pride or arrogance.” In our world, humility seems counter-culture and counter-success. But in God’s world, we become better people when set aside our pride and rely on Him. Jacob wasn’t the only biblical person who was humbled by God. We see the same kind of stories in Simon Peter and in the conversion of Saul to Paul. In fact, Paul would later write about a thorn in his flesh:

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

No one would want to go through life with a disability or ailment to keep them humble, but God knows what we need and that our dependence on Him instead of ourselves is our greatest strength.

The sun was rising on Jacob as he limped away. He had a new ailment, but also a new identity, a new name, and a new intimacy with God.

Directions: This activity is geared towards the "big kids"!

1. Let the kids pick a piece of paper and fold it in a "hot dog" fold.

2. On the outside they can write Jacob and space out the letters while decorating them similar to the picture.

3. The should cut out a square shape where the letter "a" is on the front and then draw the letter a on the inside so that it would show up in the box.

4. Now that the kids have the letter "a" on the inside of the paper, they can write Israel on the inside and decorate it as well!

Connection: When we ask God to come into our lives and forgive us/help us we become like "new". We take on the name as christians. Ask the kids if they have ever asked God for help or to forgive them and if so how did that forgiveness or help feel? God can touch our hearts and minds and make them like new! We don't change our names but it does feel like we are a new person ready to live life with God on our side.

Directions: This activity is geared towards the preschool age!

1. Write the word “Israel” on the sheet of construction paper.

2. Help your child trace over the letters with school glue.

3. Place dry beans (or other material) in the glue until the entire word is covered.

4. Allow to dry.

Directions: Follow the video above!

Connection:

Have you ever watched a wrestling match? Wrestling is a popular sport all over the world. Wrestlers have to be strong and determined to win. Wrestling isn’t a modern invention, though. It’s one of the oldest sports in the world, and it dates back thousands of years.

Have everyone show you their best wrestler face and pose.

In today’s Bible lesson, Jacob spent an entire night wrestling with an angel of God. After an entire night of wrestling, God’s angel told Jacob to walk away. Jacob left the wrestling match with a new name and a limp from his hurt hip.

We sometimes struggle with God, too. We may want to do things our way instead of His way. When is it hard for you to obey God? (Allow time for responses.) Ask how things would be easier in those examples if they would listen to God and let Him control our life.

Directions/Connection: Give each child a paper towel. Explain that they’re in charge now. They’ll each have to choose how they think they can most quickly melt an ice cube. They can use a straw to blow hot air on it, sprinkle salt on it, or hold it to try to melt it most quickly. Pass around the supplies so kids can choose, then distribute the ice cubes.

Give kids one minute to try to melt their ice cube using their chosen method. Meanwhile, turn on the hair dryer and blow hot air on your ice cube.

Call time, then compare everyone’s efforts.

How did your way compare to my way of melting the ice cube? Why was my way more effective?

My ice cube melted much faster because I had more power. And with God’s power, we can do greater things. We can stop doing things our way. We can surrender to God’s will and trust that He knows best.

Dear God, please help us remember that You are the One who knows what’s best for us. We can surrender to Your will and trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Questions:

1. How many years old is Lifeline Church Christiansburg? (6)

2. What is Lifeline Church's motto? (Love God, Love Others, Serve God, Serve Others... or "We exist to meet the needs of people")

3. What is the first book of the bible? (Genesis)

4. What day did God make the sun? (Day 4)

5. What day did God make land? (Day 3)

6. What day did God make the sky? (Day 2)

7. What day did God make animals? (Day 6)

8. What day did God rest? (Day 7)

9. What day did God make the dark/light? (Day 1)

10. What day did God make the stars? (Day 4)

11. What day did God make man? (Day 6)

12. What day did God make the plants? (Day 3)

13. What day did God make the moon? (Day 4)

14. What day did God make the water separate from the sky? (Day 2)

15. What day did God make the fish? (Day 5)

16. What day did God make trees? (Day 3)

17. What day did God make the birds? (Day 5)

18. Who was Adam? (the first man, was in the garden of eden, etc...)

19. Who was Eve? (the first woman, etc..)

20. What did Adam and Eve do that got them kicked out of the Garden of Eden? (ate the apple)

21. What did Adam and Eve do when they realized they had done wrong? (Ran and hid)

22. Who told Eve to take a bite of the apple? (The serpent)

23. Who was Cain and Abel's parents? (Adam and Eve)

24. What did Cain do as a job? (farmer)

25. What did Abel do as a job? (shepard)

26. Who was born first Cain or Abel? (Cain)

27. Who was a murderer Cain or Abel? Cain

28. Why was Cain jealous of Abel? (because God liked his offering better than Cain's, unlike Cain, Abel gave his best to God)

29. Who was Noah? (the man that built the ark)

30. How many of each animal boarded the boat? (2 of a kind)

31. What animal did Noah send to see if it was ok to look for land? (a dove)

32. What did the dove bring Noah back? (an olive branch)

33. What did Abram change his name to? (Abraham)

34. Who was Sarah? (Abraham's wife)

35. What did God promise Abraham and Sarah? (A child and many blessings)

36. Was Abraham and Sara old or young when they had a child? (old)

37. What did Abraham and Sarah name their child? (Isaac)

38. What did Abraham build for God? (An alter)

39. What did God provide for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac? (A ram)

40. Who did Isaac marry? (Rebekah)

41. How did Isaac meet Rebekah? (he sent his servant and the servant ran into Rebekah at a watering well)

42. How did Isaac's servant know that Rebekah was a good person? (she gave water to the men and their camels)

43. What did Isaac and Rebekah name their twin boys? (Jacob and Esau)

44. What did Jacob and Esau look like? (Esau was hairy all over his body like a sheep and Jacob wasn't hair.)

45. Who was the first one born, Jacob or Esau? Esau

46. What did Jacob do for a job? (farm, cook)

47. What did Esau do for a job? (hunt)

48. Who was Isaac's favorite son, Jacob or Esau? (Esau)

49. Who was Rebekah's favorite son, Jacob or Esau? (Jacob)

50. Why did Jacob want to trick his father Isaac? (because he wanted God's blessing and Esau's birth right)

51. How did Jacob trick Isaac? (Isaac couldn't see so Jacob put sheep's wool/fur on his arms and made Isaac a good meal while Esau was away hunting)

52. Did Jacob get God's blessing even though he tricked Isaac? (yes)