Why did Jacob refuse to let go until God blessed him?
Jacob refused to let go because he recognized he was wrestling with the God of Abraham and Isaac and knew that unless this God blessed him, he was destitute. Having a glimpse of the promises, unlike Esau, he saw the birthright and blessing as something worth gaining.
Les explains that this was a literal wrestling match, a theophany in which God came down in the form of a man. When God touched Jacob's thigh and crippled him, Jacob still would not release Him. Les teaches that Jacob understood who he was dealing with: the God of his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham. Jacob knew that unless this God blessed him, he was destitute. Unlike Esau, who was destitute of faith and saw nothing in God's promises, Jacob had a flicker of understanding that there was something to be gained through the birthright and blessing. So he clung to God and said he would not let Him go except He bless him.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
More Questions
What did Jacob understand about who he was wrestling with that made him refuse to let go?
During the wrestling, Jacob understood who it was he was actually wrestling with, and on that basis he refused to let go until he was blessed.
What is 'the statement of Jacob's faith'?
Jacob's refusal to let go until he was blessed is called 'the statement of Jacob's faith,' and it is simple.