and in the land of his exile. The crisis in his
life has come; everything is at stake. In the darkness and solitude he
continues praying and humbling himself before God. Suddenly a hand is laid
upon his shoulder. He thinks that an enemy is seeking his life, and with
all the energy of despair he wrestles with his assailant. As the day
begins to break, the stranger puts forth his superhuman power: at his
touch the strong man seems paralyzed, and he falls, a helpless, weeping
suppliant, upon the neck of his mysterious antagonist. Jacob knows now
that it is the Angel of the Covenant with whom he has been in conflict.
Though disabled, and suffering the keenest pain, he does not relinquish
his purpose. Long has he endured perplexity, remorse, and trouble for his
sin; now he must have the assurance that it is pardoned. The divine
visitant seems about to depart; but Jacob clings to Him, pleading for a
blessing. The Angel urges, "Let Me go; for the day breaketh;" but the
patriarch exclaims, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." What
confidence, what firmness and perseverance, are here displayed! Had this
been a boastful, presumptuous claim, Jacob would have been instantly
destroyed; but his was the assurance of one who confesses his weakness and
unworthiness, yet trusts the mercy of a covenant-keeping God.

"He had power over the Angel, and prevailed."(1058) Through humiliation,
repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal prevailed with
the Majesty of heaven. He had fastened his trembling grasp upon the
promises of God, and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn away the
sinner's plea. As an evidence of his triumph, and an encouragement to
others to imitate his example, his name was changed from one which was a
reminder of his sin, to one that commemorated his victory. And the fact
that Jacob had prevailed with God was an assurance that he would prevail
with men. He no longer feared to encounter his brother's anger; for the
Lord was his defense.

Satan had accused Jacob before the angels of God, claiming the right to
destroy him because of his sin; he had moved upon Esau to march against
him; and during the patriarch's long night of wrestling, Satan endeavored
to force upon him a sense of his guilt, in order to discourage him, and
break his hold upon God. Jacob was driven almost to despair; but he knew
that without help from heaven he must perish. He had sincerely repented of
his great sin, and he app