Hosea 12:4

Power. The experience of Jacob as an example for God’s people to follow is more fully described and dealt with in this verse in order to stimulate the Israel of Hosea’s day to imitate it. This experience brings out certain important lessons: (1) The efficacy of earnest and persistent prayer in this struggle (see Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17). Jacob did not give way before the dangers that threatened him, nor succumb under the difficulties of his position. He bravely faced the discouragements that surrounded him, not, however, in his own strength. By the strength God gave, he had power with God; in the vigor of this strength he wrestled with the Angel of the covenant, and prevailed. The wrestling symbolized the intense earnestness and energy he put forth; the object of this wrestling was the blessing of God. The means employed were the prayers and tears and fervent supplications. The persistence with which he prayed and pleaded is expressed in the words, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” (2) Only through God’s help can we overcome the problem of evil in our lives. The touch that crippled Jacob’s thigh and took away his strength revealed for all time human inability to prevail in the conflict with sin, and assuredly demonstrated what God can do if we will place ourselves in His hands (see Matt. 1:21; John 15:5; Phil. 4:13; Heb. 13:20,21). Beth-neL Bethel was the scene of two memorable occasions in the spiritual experience of Jacob (see Gen. 28:11-22; 35:1-5). On both occasions the patriarch had there consecrated himself to God. Now Hosea appeals to Jacob’s descendants to purge their lives of all idolatry, and to cease making Bethel a center of false worship (see on Hosea 4:15). Spake with us. See on v. 5.