The experience of the patriarch Jacob teaches the lesson of working long and hard to attain a desired goal. Jacob desired the spiritual blessing and it took Him years to attain it officially, from God. He desired the most valuable blessing that any mortal can attain to, yet the person who had the right to attain it, desired it not, because to Esau the blessing was of no value. As lay people it is a similar situation we find ourselves in, and similarly we will have to fight long and hard to obtain the desired blessing.
Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 32:25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 32:27 And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob. 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 32:29 And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
