Read Genesis 32:22-32

“And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”” (Genesis 32:26)

The old Jacob encountered God for the first time back in Genesis 28 around 20 years ago, but here in Genesis 32 there is a new Jacob that encounters God. And we see a stark contrast in Jacob's person from the old and the new.

When the old Jacob met God he was running from the land of promise; but new Jacob was running to the land of promise. The old Jacob was empty handed; but the new Jacob was blessed with the Lord’s blessing and riches. The old Jacob was ignorant of God’s presence; but the new Jacob was perseverant to keep God’s presence. The old Jacob was named a “Conniver of Man”, but the new Jacob was known as Israel, which means “Prince of God.”

Clearly, Jacob was a completely different man — a man who was unwilling to let go of God until he knew that God would bless him. To us it might seem that Jacob was stubborn and demanding, but with God’s positive response, we learn that Jacob was perseverant and focused. Unlike the old Jacob who thought he could earn the blessing of God by stealing the birthright, the new Jacob wanted nothing more than God’s direct blessing on his life. He was content with nothing else, even when he was afflicted by God (see verse 25).

This account gives us a wonderful illustration of what it means to take off the old man of the flesh and put on new man who was created according to God. Listen to Paul’s words in the Book of Ephesians and the Book of Colossians:

“Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

“…You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” (Colossians 3:9–10)

We see then a similar contrast in our own experience as Jacob did in his.

Our old man was running from God, but our new man runs to God. Our old man was empty handed, but our new man is blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Our old man was blind to Christ, but the new man has eyes fixed on Christ as the author and finisher of faith. Our old man cursed God, but our new man seeks nothing but the good pleasure of God’s will. Our old man was a friend of Satan, but our new man is a friend of God, the bride of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit!

It may be best summarized in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We are in Christ as a brand new person — a new creation. Our old man has been crucified with Christ, but our new man has been resurrected into new life.

May we adopt the attitude of the new Jacob today, who said, “I will not let You go until you bless me!”, which we find was also the attitude of Paul who said:

“I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)

With all that we are, let us lay ahold of Christ and live according to our new man which is created according to God!