The Making of an Overcomer: The Wrestling of Jacob

(For Those Who are Wrestling over Doctrinal Issues)


As we begin to seek Yahuweh and His Word earnestly and with all our heart, we begin to experience a collision of doctrines -- of Biblical Truth, colliding against Doctrines and Commandments of Men. This collision produces a great sense of uneasiness, turmoil, and confusion, not unlike a battle field. In order to bring peace and calm, one must either surrender to the enemy's weapons — the Doctrines and Commandments of Men — or must wrestle over the issues, and must overcome, and attain victory.

Many today are running directly to the Bride's waiting-room, trying to avoid the wrestling over the issues. The process of seeking Yahuweh, and searching the Scriptures, confronting the issues, and wrestling, and overcoming, is too difficult for them. Some avoid the confrontation altogether, thinking what they currently hold is pure Truth, and the colliding issue (true, Biblical doctrine) is the error. These will be among the Foolish virgins. The Wise virgins, however, are willing to seek, face the issues, and engage the wrestling, head-on. These are the ones who will overcome.

In this writing we will address the wrestling, and overcoming, that must occur as we confront the doctrinal issues head-on, using the Word of Yahuweh (the Scriptures), and prayer. This wrestling must continue until we prevail, and overcome. The only alternative is to shrink back, and not enter the fray. For the Bride-Candidates, that shrinking-back should not be an option. We must prevail, and overcome in the doctrinal arena, for this is the preparation-room for those that would be among the Bride-Company as 'Wise' virgins.

In Part 1: The Wrestling of Rachel, we looked at an overview of the confrontation, and the process of how one may overcome. It is befitting that we might see Rachel as our first example of overcoming, for in many ways she is prophetic of the Bride.

Here in part 2, we will show a little more detail, and will look at Jacob as the example of one who overcomes, and prevails.

The Results of Wrestling: Prevailing and Blessing

In Part 1, we saw Rachel's 'elohiym' wrestling was her wrestling in prayer with Elohiym (Yahuweh), which was a simultaneous wrestling against her opposition. It was this wrestling with Yahuweh Elohiym in prayer that brought prevailing and victory.

This same 'wrestling' with Elohiym (Yahuweh) that we saw in Rachel can be seen in more detail in the wrestling of Jacob, seen in Genesis chapter 32:

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God<0430>('elohiym') and with men, and hast prevailed. 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God<0430>('elohiym') face to face, and my life is preserved. (Genesis 32:24-30)

Notice that the result of wrestling, and prevailing, was that Jacob's name (meaning 'deceitful, crafty, and supplanter') was changed to Israel (meaning 'one who has power with elohiym-Yahuweh, and has prevailed, and has overcome'). Notice also that Jacob received the Blessing he had sought.

As a result of this wrestling with Yahuweh, Jacob not only prevailed, and received his blessing. But he also had a shrinking in his leg, a 'failure' in the strength of his leg. Jacob's walk had been changed. He could no longer rely on his own strength. This is an important example for us today. Just as Jacob could no longer walk with consuming confidence or prideful strength, even so our walk with Yahuweh, and our knowledge of Him, becomes more intimate, as we learn to "lean on our Beloved."

Likewise Jacob's wrestling resulted in his receiving a new name. Like Jacob we are, of ourselves, deceitful, crafty, and walk under our own efforts. But as we learn to overcome in each area, we too receive a new name, indicating we have prevailed, and have overcome. We not only receive a new name, but we receive the blessing of knowing Yahuweh even more intimately than we did prior to the wrestling; even to the point that we find out His new name!

Jacob's Wrestling: a Pattern for Us Today

The two accounts of Rachel's and Jacob's wrestling are given to Yahuweh's people as a prophetic pattern — a pattern for us today. Yahuweh's purpose for His New Covenant Believers today is identical to what we see in the accounts of Rachel and Jacob.

Like Rachel, our Elohiym wrestlings in prayer are simultaneous wrestlings against those who oppose us, especially in the heavenly or spirit realm.

Like Jacob, Yahuweh intends to draw us to a place where we are all alone, without anyone else's input, to wrestle with THE MAN concerning many issues regarding His Word and His Name. Like Jacob, this wrestling is to continue until the diligent seeker experiences the dawning or dayspring, the arising of the light upon him. Like Jacob, this wrestling will result in our name as no longer Jacob, but 'Israel.' And, like Jacob, we will receive the Blessing of knowing Him!

Let's look briefly at New Testament confirmation of this blessing for us today. We recall that Jacob was a son of Yahuweh's Promise:

"...They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:8)

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. (Galatians 4:28)

Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all those who have become New Covenant Believers in Messiah Yahushua are called 'children of Promise.' Although Jacob was a son of promise, he still had to prevail, and overcome. Like Jacob, we must overcome, and prevail, even though we are called 'children of promise' through Messiah Yahushua. Let's look further at this requirement.

Our Inheritance Depends on Overcoming

According to the messages addressed to the called-out people in the 7 cities in Revelation, some Believers will overcome, or prevail, and some will not. It is those who 'wrestle' with Yahuweh regarding His Word, and His Name, who will overcome, and prevail, and will have their names changed to Israel. It is those who wrestle in prayer with Yahuweh, who simultaneously prevail over those who oppose them with false Doctrines.

Notice Jacob had previously received the promises, and the blessings, but was still required of Jacob to overcome. This is the pattern for us today! And, like Jacob, those who wrestle with Yahuweh will notice that their walk will be forever changed as a result of this wrestling.

What are the issues over which we are to wrestle? Yahuweh has hidden various mysteries in His Word, so that only His Bride would seek, and find, these Pearls of great price. He expects those who will rule with Him as kings to diligently seek them out. All others will be kept at arm's length, and kept at a distance from Him. And it is for this reason that Yahuweh intentionally hides, and obscures His Word, telling truths in parables, and in dark sayings and hidden words, which are likened to hidden manna to nourish those who seek, and who overcome (Deu 4:29;1 Ps 78:2;2 Prov 1:6;3 Prov 25:2;4 Jer 29:13;5 Luke 8:10;6 1Co 2:7;7 Eph 3:9;8 Heb 11:6;9 Rev 2:17).10

The Key to Overcoming: the Mystery of Messiah-in-You

There are 27 'mysteries' listed in the New Testament. These mysteries reveal many twists and turns in the 'Way' of Yahuweh under the New Covenant. Most of those who are wise in the ways of the world have completely missed these hidden turns, and are blindly going on their own way. Thus most of what we see today is the accumulation of 2,000 years of man-made doctrines, dead traditions, and fossilised customs — instead of The Faith that was once delivered unto the saints.

The Apostle Paul had much to say of these mysteries. As Peter tells us in (2Peter 3:16),11 some things Paul wrote are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable 'wrest' (twist the Scriptures to say something they do not mean to say). These wrested Words of Scripture, in the form of strange Doctrines, is perhaps the greatest source of conflict today, and is a rich source of error. These are known in Scripture simply as the Doctrines and Commandments of Men, and they actually turn men away from the truth (Titus 1:14).12 It is because of these wrested Scriptures and twisted Doctrines, that there is almost no teaching of these necessary mysteries today. It is these 'mysteries' that allow us to become perfected in love, and for this reason, (1Corinthians 13:2)13 is full of irony!

There is one mystery of the New covenant that is the centerpiece of all the others, and is the central focus of The Faith, and of the New Covenant: the mystery of "Messiah-in-you" (Col 1:27).14 All the New Covenant Truths concerning Law ("Torah"), Grace, Faith, and Works all revolve around understanding this single issue of Yahushua-in-you. Likewise, the conflicts and error concerning these same issues of Law, Grace, etc. are because this central New Covenant theme remains hidden to so many.

We must therefore endeavour to understand the central New Covenant understanding of "Messiah-in-you," and to understand the answer to the question, "What Would Yahushua Do?" For until we begin to grasp the simplicity of these two Truths, it will be easy to accept counterfeit, man-mad doctrines regarding the issues of Law, Grace, Faith, and Works.

This issue of Messiah-in-you is simply the issue of one's turning, and allowing Yahushua to become planted within them (one becomes 'Born-Again'), and then allowing Messiah to live in them, and to walk in them, and to provide the 'Grace' that enables obedience to Torah, which Yahushua-in-them desires to keep. In fact, to allow "Messiah-in-you" is your (only) hope of (being among those called My) Glory, and is also your (only) hope of entering in. (Isa 46:13;15 Matt 19.17;16 Rev 22:14.17)

The early Believers started out following Yahuweh. But in the ensuing years, Yahuweh made a turn, and no one noticed. Many Gentile Believers in Yahushua are now awakening, and are seeking Him diligently, following hard after Yahuweh, and are discovering the twists and turns. They are now discovering the magnificence and simplicity of the New (Renewed) Covenant. They are also saying exactly as Jeremiah had prophesied: "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, things wherein there is no profit." (Jer 16:19).18

Today Yahuweh is calling all Believers in Yahushua to seek Him diligently, and to discover His plans and purposes hidden within His Word! He has foretold us ALL things (Mk 13:23)!19 He has revealed who will enter in with Him as the Bride (the 'Wise'), and who will be left behind (those that are not 'Wise'). Yet, "think it not strange" that your seeking the Wisdom of Yahuweh, and the truth of the Scriptures, would bring you controversy, opposition, struggle, and wrestling.

Seeking Yahuweh, and His Word, will bring about a collision of doctrines — of Biblical Truth, colliding against Doctrines and Commandments of Men — and will require wrestling over the issues. The wrestling will bring forth a change in one's walk with Yahuweh. The change in our walk, in turn, results in confrontation, conflict, loneliness, persecution by dear friends and family, and even loss of one's own identity, even one's own life.

The changed walk, however, will bring us to a point where we begin to 'lean on our Beloved' (Song 8:5).20 That change brings extreme delight and pleasure to the Bridegroom, and results in the Bridegroom rejoicing over His beloved Bride. The changed walk brings us close to His heart, and into His presence. If we look to Him, and lean on Him in our walk with Him, we will remain at His right hand, where there are pleasures forevermore. (Ps. 16:11).21

As the Bride undergoes her preparation, she begins to find her new identity in her Bridegroom. It is here, where the Bride is 'leaning on her beloved,' that the wrestling and trials become a source of rejoicing and gladness. Because of the glorious changes that are taking place within her, the fiery trials turn into gladness and joy:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try ("test") you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1Peter 4:12-14)

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2Co 3:18)


Scripture References
  1. But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deut 4:29)
  2. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (Psalms 78:2)
  3. To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. (Proverbs 1:6)
  4. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2)
  5. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
  6. And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Luke 8:10)
  7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (1 Corinthians 2:7)
  8. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9)
  9. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
  10. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)
  11. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16)
  12. Not giving heed to ... commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (Titus 1:14b)
  13. And though I ... understand all mysteries ... and have not (love), I am nothing. (1Corinthians 13:2)
  14. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)
  15. I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. (Isaiah 46:13)
  16. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17)
  17. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)
  18. O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. (Jeremiah 16:19)
  19. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. (Mark 13:23)
  20. Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? (Song of Songs 8:5a)
  21. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:11)

Return to Part 1: The Wrestling of Rachel


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"If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief,
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." (Rev 3:3)