11/13/2018 Discussion: Wrestling

Funny Juijitsu instructional video:

Struggling with God

“[24] So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. [25] 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. [26] Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” [27] The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. [28] Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” [29] Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.”

-Genesis 32:24-29 NIV

Jacob feared for his life (because he was going to see his brother, who wanted to kill him), and prayed to God, then he sent everything he owned and everything he was responsible for ahead of him. He was alone that night and possibly a little anxious. Then a man arrived that night. Then he and the man wrestled, and the man touched his bib and dislocated it, but he had him in some sort of wrestling hold, and would not let Him go until he blessed him. Later he found out that that person he was wrestling with was God, and was glad he lived through the encounter.

-Ezra