What does Jacob's refusal to let go of the man until blessed reveal about his faith?
Jacob's refusal reveals a simple faith: he knew he was wrestling with God in human form, the Lord Himself, and would not release Him without a blessing. That clinging to God becomes the statement of Jacob's faith and is connected with his salvation and name change to Israel.
Les explains that Jacob wrestled through the night with the stranger, who is the Lord Himself in a theophany—an appearance of God in human form, specifically God the Son, Christ in an Old Testament appearance. When the Lord says, Let me go, for the day breaketh, Jacob refuses: I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Les calls this the statement of Jacob's faith. Jacob realizes he is dealing with the God of Isaac and Abraham, so he clings for blessing. The Lord asks his name; Jacob admits he is Jacob, the deceiver, the supplanter. Then his name is changed to Israel, for as a prince he has power with God and with men and has prevailed. Les identifies this as Jacob's salvation.
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
Why did Jacob refuse to let the angel go until he blessed him?
Jacob understood that he was wrestling with God, and his faith was shown by refusing to let go until he received a blessing.
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.
Why did Jacob refuse to let go of God until he was blessed?
Jacob's faith was shown when he understood who he was wrestling with and declared that he would not let go until God blessed him.