Strange Encounters

By Abi Ruelo

Genesis 32 tells the story when Jacob decided to make peace with Esau after 20 years of escaping because of the deception he committed. He was scared and did not know what to expect. Reading the entire chapter, you will see how Jacob, until the very end, still tried to manipulate the outcome of their meeting but a strange encounter with God transforms him forever. We learn several things along the way.

God Meets Us in Our Fear, Not Just Our Strength (v. 7). Jacob is terrified of meeting Esau after years of estrangement. He is vulnerable, anxious, and unsure. Yet it’s in this moment of fear—not triumph—that God draws near. You don’t have to be fearless to encounter God. He meets you in your weakness, not just your victories.

Wrestling with God Can Lead to Transformation (v. 28). Jacob’s mysterious wrestling match isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual. He grapples with God all night, refusing to let go until he’s blessed. And in that struggle, his identity is changed. Faith isn’t always neat. Sometimes conviction is born through wrestling—through questions, tension, and persistence.

True Blessing Comes with Surrender. (V. 29). Jacob walks away limping—but blessed. His encounter leaves a mark, but it also leaves him changed. He’s no longer relying on schemes or strength, but on God’s favor. Surrender may leave you marked, but it also makes you whole. Conviction grows when we stop striving and start trusting. This chapter is a powerful reminder that spiritual growth often comes through struggle, not ease—and that God is not afraid of our mess.

APPLICATION

Bring Your Fears to God First. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God doesn’t just tolerate your fears—He invites them. Prayer is where fear meets faith. Jacob didn’t hide his fear—he brought it into prayer. When we’re anxious or uncertain, our first move should be surrender, not strategy.

Wrestle Honestly with God. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Jacob didn’t run from the struggle—he leaned into it. Faith isn’t always clean or easy. Sometimes conviction is forged in the wrestling. God honors those who wrestle for truth, not settle for comfort.

Let God Redefine Your Identity. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Jacob walked away with a limp—but also with a new name. When we encounter God deeply, He doesn’t just comfort us—He transforms us. Your past doesn’t define you—God does. Let Him rename your story.

When we are wrestling with something, there is actually only one thing we need to do. Surrender. Are we growing in faith, humility, and love? Are we learning to trust even when things feel uncertain? Are we allowing God to shape our character, not just our circumstances? The real miracle often happens not in what God changes around us, but in what He changes within us.