The Dark Night of the SoulSample

Jacob

“So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” Genesis 32:24

As we look to God’s Word and our forefathers, we can find many examples of The Dark Night of the Soul. One week is not enough time and space to study them all, so I’ve prayed about which ones I might share with you this week. However, I encourage you to do your own study of your favorite men and women in the Bible, especially those listed in Hebrews 11 in the “Hall of Faith” chapter. You will find they all had these moments of darkness and despair.

Jacob and his twin brother, Esau, were born to Isaac and Rebekah. From the moment he was born, he was competitive and fiery. Jacob's name came from the fact he was grasping his brother’s heel when they were born. Jacob was also smart and crafty as he grew older, and he convinced his older brother to sell him his birthright. He even deceived his father, Isaac, who was old and blind, as he pretended to be Esau to obtain the all-important “Father’s Blessing.”

Esau was outraged with Jacob’s actions and planned to kill him. Rebekah sent Jacob away to avoid a conflict. While he was on his journey, God gave him a great vision of a stairway to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. (Genesis 28:12-15) He was given a blessing, as well:

“I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples will be blessed through you and your offspring.” Genesis 28:13-14

Despite Jacob’s sinful ways, God blessed him and gave him a great vision for his life. Jacob dedicated his life to the Lord. It goes on to say he made a vow to the Lord and gave Him a tenth of everything he had. Jacob began fulfilling the vision as he married and had many children. The time came for him to reunite with Esau. It says Jacob was in great fear and distress, and he sent a peace offering to Esau, hoping it would appease him. He cried out to the Lord:

“I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.'” Genesis 32:10-12

That night, God sent an angel to Jacob, and it says he wrestled with him all night. He struggled with all his might, saying, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The angel asked him, “What is your name?” After telling him his name was Jacob, the angel said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”(Genesis 32:24-32)

It was a huge turning point in Jacob’s life. Up until this time, Jacob had been fighting for everything he had, full of self-sufficiency. Finally, God met him in a time of desperation, and in Jacob’s “Dark Night of the Soul,” he surrendered to God and was blessed. He even gave him a new name, a new identity, to help him remember that the old Jacob was dead. Out of this, one new man, Israel, a great legacy of faith, was set in motion.

So, if you are in your Dark Night of the Soul, quit fighting God and surrender. Let go of the past and look to the future. Then, he can bless you.