Why did Jacob demand a blessing before letting the stranger go?
Jacob demanded a blessing because he recognized the stranger as the Lord Himself—God the Son appearing in human form—and would not release Him without it. His demand was a statement of faith, showing he knew he was dealing with the God of Isaac and Abraham.
Les explains that this wrestling match continued through most of the night. When the stranger said, “Let me go, for the day breaketh,” Jacob replied, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Les says Jacob knew who it was: the Lord Himself. This was a theophany, the appearance of God in human form, and in the Old Testament it is always God the Son. So Christ was wrestling with Jacob in an Old Testament appearance. Jacob’s refusal to let go was a statement of his faith. He suddenly realized he was dealing with the God of his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham. The Lord then asked his name, and Jacob answered, meaning deceiver or supplanter. His name was changed to Israel because as a prince he had power with God and with men and 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 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.
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.
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.