Moving From Wrestling to Blessing by Dr. Sandie Freed

Bedford, TX

Dear Believers,

Are you ready to experience the fullest of God's blessing? I know you are, and so am I! I know that God's Word says that we are blessed, but there's more to understand as God continues to unfold more revelation connected to us accessing the fullness. As I began to pray and seek the Lord concerning a directive word for myself as well as the Body of Christ for 2016, God began to minister to me concerning the life of Jacob.

Jacob has always been one of my favorite Biblical characters. Why? Because I have always felt that if God would bless Jacob, a person who was basically a thief (remember he stole his brother's birthright), and was deceitful, conniving, and manipulating, then surely I had a chance!

Maybe some of you can chuckle with me a bit, or maybe even relate to a degree. However, let's think about this just for a moment. God chose to name Himself as the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." He did not instruct us to remember Him as the "God of Esau," who was actually in position for the generational inheritance from his father, Isaac. Therefore, it's clear that God honored Jacob's desire to receive the birthright – even though he chose to deceive his brother and father to receive it! (Isaac blessing Jacob; photo via Wikipedia)

Yet, there is more to this story. In fact, as I share this word with you, keep in mind that though Jacob received the birthright, God made sure that later Jacob would have to meet Him face-to-face to get the downflow of the full blessing. For each of us today, we may strive to receive the blessing, even scheme to grab hold of it, but at the end of the day, we must have an encounter with God to walk out the fullness of all that He desires to give us.

Are you ready to be empowered for 2016? Well, keep reading...here comes the understanding of receiving the fullness of the blessing!

Jacob Leaves the Old to Enter Into the New

In Genesis 31, we are given the account of Jacob, who is instructed to leave, take his family, animals, servants, and accumulated wealth with him and return to his homeland. Now, keep in mind that Jacob must have immediately thought of how wonderful it would be to move away from his father-in-law, Laban, but also it was a bittersweet event because he would also encounter his brother, Esau. In fact, he would be crossing over into Esau's territory! Esau was now his enemy, not necessarily a "family-friendly" relationship any longer. Yet, God assured Jacob that He would be with him as he journeyed home (see Genesis 31:3). It's always comforting to know that when we are about to transition, leave the old behind, and enter into a new season, that God promises to be with us, right?

Yet, rather than telling Laban he was leaving, Jacob actually ran away from him and took Laban's family with him! To add insult to injury, his daughter, Rachel, took her father's household gods with them. Laban didn't like the fact that his family was stolen from him nor that his false gods were now in the possession of Rachel. (Jacob leading Laban's flocks; photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Laban immediately set out to find Jacob, but was warned by God to basically not harm Jacob in any way. When Laban found Jacob and his family, he actually forgave them, made covenant with them, and blessed them! Now, that's a great going-away gift, wouldn't you agree? This is an example of how when God says, "I will be with you as you follow My directives," that He truly does come through for us with a blessing!

But now, what about Jacob meeting Esau? Esau was a hunter – skilled with bow and arrow. A hunter knows how to kill; Jacob could easily deceive, but to kill? In an attempt to make an easier transition on his brother and him, Jacob sends word to Esau that he has left Laban and desires to receive his favor. Messengers came back to tell Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him and was bringing four hundred men with him (probably more like warriors)! Maybe not what Jacob had envisioned!

Jacob Wrestles

Genesis 32 gives us the account that describes that as Jacob went forth, God's angels met him. It appears that possibly he believed that it was God's army that had shown up to encourage him and do battle if needed. Therefore, he called that place Mahanaim which meant "two armies" and "two camps."

Jacob had seen angels – yet when he received word that Esau was bringing his army of four hundred, Jacob became afraid and distressed. He became divided in his faith – like being in between the "faith camp" and the "doubting camp," we might say today. Then he acted upon the division as he divided his wives, the flocks, herds, and camels in two groups to protect them from his brother. He prayed fervently for deliverance from the wrath of his brother. Then the next day, Jacob sent a multitude of livestock to Esau as a present, hoping that this gift would be pleasing to his brother. As in...maybe he'll let me live!

That night, he rose up and took his two wives, two women servants, and eleven sons and passed over the ford of Jabbok. Jacob sent them all across the brook and sent over ALL he had (see Genesis 32:23). And, then, Jacob was left alone. While at night, all alone, with all of his possessions having crossed over, a Man (named by theologians as God in human form and/or the Angel of the LORD) wrestled with him until daybreak. (Jacob wrestles; photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Yes, Jacob wrestled. Out of nowhere a man seeks him out for a wrestling match! Jacob is not looking for any type of fight; in fact, he's trying to avoid one! Yet, he is in a wrestling match...and it was with God! What was God after? What was the purpose of this wrestling match?

Between Two Camps – Between Two Decisions

Let's take a look again where Jacob was geographically. He was at the brook of Jabbok (previously named by him as Mahanaim, which, again, means "two camps"). Yes, Jacob is in transition and between two camps: the camp of Esau and the camp of Jacob, the camp of God and the camp of man, the camp of the Edomites and the camp of the Israelites. Two camps are equal to two opposing opinions (or beliefs). Could it be that God was after an opinion in Jacob? To me, this is much like the time when Elijah approached the Israelites and the false prophets of Baal and said..."How long will you waver between two opinions?"(Photo via Wikipedia)

Jacob was at the same place. Remember now, his wife brought false gods with her. Thankfully, he sent everything away and those false gods went with Rachel to the other side...he was now separated from the influence of false gods. Let's see if we might relate to this a bit. Maybe God is calling us to separate ourselves from our own "false gods"? I think so! But let me say this, we won't be able to take a firm stand in our wrestling match if idolatry has a firm hold on us. I have written before that idolatry for New Covenant Believers is anything that does not agree with what God says about us or how we perceive the truth about our loving Lord.

On the other hand, what was Jacob's opinion of God? Of himself? Jacob had been fairly self-centered – wouldn't you agree? Think about this: Just like most of us, he wanted to experience the good things in life – the blessings of God. All of his life he had reached out to "grab" and to "grasp" the blessing. Even when born, he grasped Esau's heel in an attempt to be born first and receive the blessing. Maybe you can relate. I know that I have experienced times when I attempted to grab hold of success, prosperity, and blessing in my own strength.

But now, Jacob was wrestling with the Almighty God who had sought Jacob out with the intention of doing a powerful act: to bless Jacob Himself. God wanted to prove to Jacob that the blessing could only come through Him and His relationship with Jacob.

The Transjordan

Another named area where Jacob was located at this time was called the "Transjordan." This name means "downflow." He was in the area of both the Transjordan and Jabbok. Another meaning for "Jabbok" is "outflow." God had Jacob in transition (between two camps), between an opportunity to receive a downflow so that he could experience an outflow. God met him face-to-face, and Jacob named that place Peniel which means "face of God." But, this word also means "power" and "strength." God's strength was shown to Jacob, and from that time on he was to be reminded that he could only receive the blessings, strength, and power of God while at the same time understanding the weakness of his own flesh.

As he wrestled with the Lord, the Lord changed His name to "Israel." No longer would he be known as a supplanter, a liar, or a deceiver. Now he had a new name, meaning "prince of God." Jacob was determined to not let go until the Lord blessed him. (Photo via Flickr)

It was a long wrestling match – it went on until the break of day. During the match, God also touched Jacob in the "hollow of his thigh." It left him with a limp at the end of the match, as you probably know, but let me explain the significance of this limp. It may be new revelation to you.

The Limp

God chose a specific place to touch (smite) Jacob. He touched him in the "hollow" of his thigh. A hollow place is an empty place. The thigh in Scripture is symbolic of reproduction and fruitfulness. Amazingly, God chose to smite the unfruitful place in Jacob! This was not an act of punishment; it was an act of love from God, for He directly confronted an area in Jacob's life which was barren. The barren place within Jacob's life was the continual striving to appear to be blessed, or for others to notice that he was blessed; but he needed to actually realize that he was blessed! In fact, the word "touch" means that God touched him with His hand, yes, but it is further translated that God did a "violent act" against something. When God "touched" him, I believe He did a violent action against all that was barren in Jacob's life!

When the wrestling match was over, Jacob walked away with a limp. I have heard many sermons on this, but allow me to share with you what I believe this limp was.

First of all, the limp was a constant reminder of the fact that in Jacob's weakness (the flesh) God will always be strong. God had said that He would be with him in this journey, and God showed up to meet Jacob face-to-face with His power. God could have easily thrown Jacob down in one blow. But, He met Jacob right where he was – as a grabber and a grasper. Again, Jacob's name means "supplanter," but actually it is more accurately defined as a "grabber and a grasper."

In a wrestling match, there are no direct blows – you grab at each other to pull them down and pin them down. When you're pinned down by God, He is meaning business. God loved Jacob, and at the same time He meant business. God changed the rules of this wrestling match: He delivered a direct blow to a barren situation – all for the good of Jacob! No longer would he be a grasper and a grabber...he would now walk with a constant reminder of the power and the goodness of God. (Photo via Pixabay)

When we study the word "limp" further, it is the same definition as "waver" and "halt." In other words, Jacob had come to the same place of transition – much like when the Israelites had to choose what to believe of God. Just as when Elijah had said "How long will you waver (limp, halt) between two opinions?" Again, Jacob was in between two opinions, two different camps and belief systems...and he walked away knowing his true identity. No longer did he need to grasp or grab – the blessing was now His because God said so! When Israel limped away, he still limped with the reminder of who he was as Jacob, but was empowered with his new name and nature.

It's so true, "The more you realize and understand who you ARE, the more you are less willing to be who you WERE." Dear ones, God's power is available to empower you to transition this year. Know who you are in Him and that revelation will empower you to walk in all that God says about you and your future.

My recent books, Silencing the Accuser: Eight Lies Satan Uses Against Christians, as well as Letting Go of Your Limitations: Experiencing God's Transforming Power (order from The Elijah List), were written to empower Believers to defeat the enemy, let go of the past, and experience God's transforming power and blessings. Both of these books expose hidden areas of idolatry and provide empowering prayers to help you cycle out of the old and enter into your new season. I encourage to read these if you haven't – I truly want you to experience God's very best in 2016!

Allow me to pray a prayer of empowerment:

Father God, thank You for touching us! Thank You for touching every barren and empty place in our lives. Lord, 2015 was a difficult year. It was a year where we wavered and limped between two opinions. In the past, we were tempted to not trust You. We were afraid. Though it was a time of crossing over into greater faith, we feared for our future. The enemy has risen up against us, and yet we have been reminded of Your promises and Your power. Father, thank You for reminding us that You are our Protector and Deliverer. Thank You for blessing us. Thank You for being there – in our future!

Lord, empower us to walk confidently in our God-given identity in 2016. I am who You say that I am! In Jesus' name, amen!

Dear ones, God has touched you; He has changed you, and He has promised you the blessing!

In Christ and forever serving Him and the Kingdom,

Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Co-pastor, Lifegate Church, Hurst, Texas
Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.lifegatechurch.org