>Bible stories seldom explain themselves1; Jacob’s all night wrestling match is one of those where we are left to our own conclusions.
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak… he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man…Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me…the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” – Genesis 32:22, 23b, 26, 28 (NIV)
A similar exchange occurs between Jesus and a Greek. Our loving Jesus said seemingly unkind things.
The woman … begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter…he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter. – Mark 7:26a, 27b-29 (NIV)
Sometimes, I don’t know why2, we go to God and it turns into a wrestling match – God doesn’t cooperate, things don’t change, and the heavens seem like brass.
Saying God (and Jesus) doesn’t care then quitting is the easy out, and He’ll let us take it, or we can be like Jacob and the Greek woman – not take “No” for an answer.
Tenacity is a character quality God, apparently, likes in his children (I like it in mine – successful living requires it!). We may get banged up in process like Jacob or endure insults like the Greek woman, but we will be glad we endured when we get what we wanted.
“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12
– fritz
1 Related Post: God Needs No Explanation
2 Related Post: Loving God Like He Is
