The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 618

confesses his sin and gratefully acknowledges the mercy of God toward
him while with deep humiliation he pleads the covenant made with his
fathers and the promises to himself in the night vision at Bethel and in the
land of his exile. The crisis in his life has come; everything is at stake.
In the darkness and solitude he continues praying and humbling himself
before God. Suddenly a hand is laid upon his shoulder. He thinks that an
enemy is seeking his life, and with all the energy of despair he wrestles
with his assailant. As the day begins to break, the stranger puts forth his
superhuman power; at his touch the strong man seems paralyzed, and
he falls, a helpless, weeping suppliant, upon the neck of his mysterious
antagonist. Jacob knows now that it is the Angel of the covenant with
whom he has been in conflict. Though disabled and suffering the keenest
pain, he does not relinquish his purpose. Long has he endured perplexity,
remorse, and trouble for his sin; now he must have the assurance that it
is pardoned. The divine visitant seems about to depart; but Jacob clings
to Him, pleading for a blessing. The Angel urges, “Let Me go, for the
day breaketh;” but the patriarch exclaims, “I will not let Thee go, except
Thou bless me.” What confidence, what firmness and perseverance, are
here displayed! Had this been a boastful, presumptuous claim, Jacob
would have been instantly destroyed; but his was the assurance of one
who confesses his weakness and unworthiness, yet trusts the mercy of a
covenant-keeping God.
“He had power over the Angel, and prevailed.” Hosea 12:4. Through
humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal
prevailed with the Majesty of heaven. He had fastened his trembling
grasp upon the promises of God, and the heart of Infinite Love could
not turn away the sinner’s plea. As an evidence of his triumph and an
encouragement to others to imitate his example, his name was changed
from one which was a reminder of his sin, to one that commemorated
his victory. And the fact that Jacob

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