5. Jacob's Trouble

Gathered Fragments

After spending upwards of twenty years working for his father-in-law Laban, Jacob commenced the return journey to his home in Canaan. Accompanied by his large family, as well as herds of animals and general possessions, Jacob approached the land of his father Isaac. Yet the journey, while voluntary, was not without apprehension. In fact, the Bible states that “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed”. Knowing full well that his brother Esau purposed to kill him, Jacob sent waves of servants ahead of him with great gifts, hoping to appease Esau’s vengeance. Jacob also divided the people that were with him into two companies, with the thought that if one company were taken by Esau, the other might escape.

With such measures in place, Jacob prayed. And in his earnest plea for God’s protection, Jacob reminded God of the promise He had made many years before, that “I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude”.

After leading his family across the brook Jabok, Jacob intended to spend the night alone. Yet this was not to be the case. Rather, “there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day”. This experience, known as Jacob’s trouble, turned out to be the most climactic of his entire life. As Jacob said: “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved”.

Although he was defeated physically, Jacob prevailed with God. Moreover, the internal battle made tangible through the act of wrestling, resulted not only in the transformation of Jacob’s character, but also his name. Indeed, with this legacy of endurance, faith, and importunate prayer, the nation of Israel was born.

In Jeremiah 30, the prophet declares that in the final period of Earth’s history, God’s people will be faced with circumstances so oppressive, “that none is like it”. Jeremiah calls this event “the time of Jacob’s trouble”. For like Jacob, it will be this experience—unimaginable in its magnitude—that will solidify the characters of the elect, and draw from them an unprecedented depth of dependance upon God; their only source of hope.
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