But I feel for this struggler when he, knowing that Esau is coming after him, goes out into the wilderness to pray. Thank God He doesn’t give up on us when we do stupid things. He was desperate and frightened. It was there in the wilderness he met God disguised as a warrior. The Bible tells us God put struggling Jacob’s hip out of joint. Very, very painful, guaranteed to get his attention. There, all alone in the wilderness, GOD MET HIM TO MAKE HIM, CRUSHED HIM TO CROWN HIM, AND BROKE HIM TO BLESS HIM. Jacob went on his way a new person, but he was limping. Experience has taught me we are all limpers. Some just don’t know it.
It was a new day for this old sinner, saved by grace. He was safe, but not entirely sound. He probably limped for the rest of his life. (Here my empathy returns because I limp more than most.)