Fathers - Wrestling with Your Angel (Pt. 1)

The Bible reveals the story of Jacob, who was a son, a brother, and a father.

“That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 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. 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.”

Genesis 32:22-28

If we put these verses in their proper context, we will realize a few things. First, Jacob was running away from his father-in-law, Laban, with his wives, sons, and all he possessed. He felt undervalued by Laban and realized that he had no future remaining with him. Jacob was now returning home to his father’s house. However, this meant that he was also returning to his brother. Jacob must now face the truth that he had deceived his father, Jacob, and stolen his brother’s birthright—and blessing. He did this under the direction of his mother, Rebekah. Jacob departed from his parent’s house because his oldest brother sought his life.

Now Jacob is returning home with all his family and all his belongings. He returns now with everything dear to him but realizes that he must face his older brother, who he believes still wants to kill him. Finally, Jacob is now able to face all of his past, with no revelation of his future. Jacob now faces his brother, who he believes still desires revenge. Esau’s hatred could cost him everything he has worked for, including his life. Jacob faces this dilemma with the fear that his future may be in jeopardy because of his past.

Jacob is not the only father who has made mistakes in his past. He is not the only father who has to reconcile past relationships to save his own family and his future. Every father will find himself in this position sooner or later. All men make mistakes, but it is different for fathers. No father wants his wife and children to suffer for his mistakes. Every father’s responsibility is to cover and protect his own—even if it involves his immediate family. Jacob’s experience represents the experience that every father must go through.

Jacob had separated himself from everything dear to him. His mistake consumes him, and there is no escaping the confrontation that is ahead. He is now left alone to deal with his dilemma. Jacob wrestles with an angel. He is so desperate for the opportunity to experience his future that he prevails. As a result, Jacob receives his blessing and is no longer called Jacob, but Israel. He is now in the position to experience the future that God has for him and his family.

As we begin this new year, I challenge every man to do whatever is necessary to provide for the future his family deserves. If this means wrestling with your angel, I pray you are preparing for the encounter. If it means paying the price for your past mistakes, I trust that you are willing to endure the fight. Finally, this fight Is about owning up to one’s past, learning the lessons along the way, and being committed to not repeating past mistakes.

May 2021 be everything you need it to be and all that God planned for you and yours.