Genesis

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NASB	Genesis 32:28 He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed."
AMPLIFIED 2015	Genesis 32:28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed." [Hos 12:3, 4]

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Bible Question: What does it truly mean when Jacob said, "I won't let go until you bless me." and how did God bless him, by sparing his life? Gen. 32:26

Bible Answer: This passage of scripture, from Gen 32:24-29 describes an awesome encounter with Jacob, and a pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, or Angel of the LORD. (He describes Himself to Jacob - without answering what His name is, the same way He did in Judges 13:17-18.)

The physical "wrestling match" Jacob had with "a Man" lasted until the sun was about to come up. This signifies or demonstrates something about the character and nature of Jacob. He was incredibly determined to be blessed by God, and literally "fought" to obtain it.

Jesus had to "touch his hip" to remove it from its socket (32:25) to end the struggle and break free of Jacob's grasp before the sun came up and revealed clearly His identity to Jacob.

Verse 29 tells us Jacob was blessed, and V.28 tells us that BECAUSE he struggled with man and God and prevailed - his name would no longer be Jacob, but Israel.

Letting Jacob(Israel) live wasn't the blessing, and the "cost" of Jacob's determination earned him a limp from that day on - but Jacob gives believers today a picture perfect example of great determination in seeking God and not letting go.

And no, Jacob wasn't "stronger" than the pre-incarnate Jesus, but just determined to cling to Him. If you've ever been "savagely hugged by a small child, you know what I mean. It's not a matter of strength so much as tenacity and determination. Jesus COULD HAVE flung Jacob to the far side of the world, but THAT would be contrary to HIS loving nature. Jacob was blessed because he earned his blessing - the match wasn't for God's sake, but for Jacob's. (God KNOWS His plan already. Jacob was the one needing the "boost.")

Abounding in His grace,
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