In this episode we continue studying the Book of Genesis. In this episode Jacob sends messengers to Esau, letting him know he was coming home. The messengers returned to Jacob letting him know that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men.

Jacob became afraid, and spent all night in prayer. While in prayer Jesus appeared to him. And they wrestled all night. Jesus touched Jacob in the hollow of his thigh, yet Jacob continued to wrestle.

He did not quit, he wrestled in pain, he did not become so tired and weary that he quit, he did not give up but he continued wrestling holding on to him. Declaring he was not going to let him go until he blessed him.

Jesus said, Because you have prevailed, meaning because he did not give up or give in but held on to him with all his might he would no longer be called Jacob but Israel.

The name Jacob means supplanter. The old Jacob lived according to the prince of the world, the one who supplanted Adam and Eve for their birthright, Jacob would no longer be identified with the prince of this world.

This reminds us of what Paul said in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 2 and 3.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Jacob had prevailed, he endured harsh treatment from Laban for many years, yet he did not return evil for evil but he returned good for evil.

He took losses that rightfully belonged to Laban, he endured harsh weather treatment to protect Labans’ flock. He was underpaid and overworked, but he did not retaliate, and by not responding with evil he prevailed against evil and showed himself to be a son of the Most High God.

Scripture tells us how to respond to evil we may encounter in Romans chapter 12 verses 17 through 21.

Here’s the text:

Romans 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Romans 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Jacob was not overcome by Laban’s evil. He continued doing good to him, by this he demonstrated that he was a man after God’s on heart because he lets the sun shine on the just and the unjust and his Son would overcome evil by doing good.

God’s creation turned on him, they rejected him and despised him but he would do good unto them, he would forgive them and die for them, to deliver them from their captors, satan, sin and death.

Jacob prevailed with God and man and was now a prince. Prince means ruler, commander, chief, a leader.

From him the nation of Israel would spring forth and become mighty upon the earth. And through his descendant Jesus the Christ, all nations would be blessed, people from every tongue, tribe and nation would be able to prevail against the principalities and powers that sought to prevail against them, the ones who sought to supplant them, so they could have dominion over the earth in their stead.

BDB says, prevail means, to give strength, to confirm a covenant, to show oneself mighty, be powerful, be mighty, be great

The promise to prevail was confirmed with the blood covenant Jesus made.

Jesus shed his blood so we could prevail against the powers of sin and death and over all the serpent’s powers.

Luke 1:68  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Luke 1:69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

Luke 1:70  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

Luke 1:71  That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

Luke 1:72  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

Luke 1:73  The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

Luke 1:74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

Luke 1:75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.