And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. …….. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; …… And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Genesis 32:1-2, 7, 24-26
Obeying the Lord, the has the assurance of protection of Angels. The Lord pull back the cover of the spirit world and allows Jacob to see the Angelic Host which will accompany him.
In verse 7, Jacob did not remember the host of Angels around him? Before we criticize Jacob, we must as well, look at ourselves.
God had a controversy with Jacob because of his faulty life. When as a consequence, he found himself in deadly peril and realised that God Himself was behind that peril, and that it really was not with his brother Esau that he had to contend, but rather with the Angel of Jehovah Himself, he then learned a valuable lesson.
When sore broken by that Mighty Hand, when he ceased to wrestle and clung instead with weeping and supplication to the very God Who wounded him, it was then he got the victory and the glorious name of “Israel”
The great principle that God cannot give victory “to the flesh” appears in this scene. It is the broken heart that begins to experience what Divine Power means. Better for the sun to rise upon a limping Israel than to set upon a lying Jacob.
Jacob, for his misconduct, was exiled from the Promised Land, having nothing but his staff. He returns a wealthy prince, but lamed. So Israel, cast out of Jehovah’s land because of her sin, also will return with abundance, but broken and contrite in spirit, all typified by Jacob.
God had to cripple the “flesh” in Jacob, as He has to cripple the flesh in us. It can only be done one way: Beloved, it is the Holy Spirit Alone Who can subdue the flesh. He demands only one thing of us, and that is that our Faith be anchored squarely in Christ and the Cross, never wavering.
Apostle Paul said “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
LET’S PRAY
Holy Spirit, by Divine Mercy and Favour, subdue my flesh in total obedience of Your Word and Will. Holy Spirit, anchor my faith squarely in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ at the Cross.
BENEDICTION
Now the God of peace HIMSELF give you peace ALWAYS by ALL means. The Lord be with you as He has been with Jacob and bless him Israel. Fountain 😇