Bible Discussion Thread

How can Jacob prevail against Christ in a wrestling match? After all, Christ is God and possesses all power. The answer is that Jacob prevails in the sense that he resists God s working in his life. God desires to purge Jacob and, indeed, has given him opportunities to be purged and to grow, but Jacob continues to resist. In his resisting Jacob prevails. Thus Christ, seeing Jacob s obstinate spirit, takes severe measures in order to teach His child to yield. How does he accomplish this? By touching the hollow of Jacob s thigh in essence, dislocating Jacob s hip. God is demonstrating to Jacob Who is actually in control. At that point, Jacob knows he is wrestling with God. Jacob realizes that God in His mercy is allowing him to continue. James Hollandsworth