Could it be possible that someone could sin as soon as he has been born? Psalm 58:3 suggests that we descendants of the fallen Adam "go astray as soon as [we] be born." The Bible tells of one prominent individual who his relatives understood actually sinned while he was in the act of being born; in fact there is also a suggestion that he sinned while still in the womb! Of Rebekeh's being pregnant with Esau and Jacob, we read: "The children struggled together within her … And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. … They called [the first's] name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob" (which we are told means "supplanter," someone trying to grasp what God has not given him; Gen. 25:22-26, KJV).
We may say that this character-name was given the poor child on flimsy evidence, but he had to carry it almost all his life. The name was understood to be prophetic. He lived it out, even grabbed the birthright from Esau by what we would consider unfair means--taking advantage of the man's indulged appetite. The problem: Jacob wanted to grab something before God gave it to him.
The story of how Jacob finally "overcame" in his trial of faith in his "night of wrestling" illuminates our future. Jeremiah 30:5-7 (NIV) describes how the people of God--all who overcome--will experience most severe testing of their faith. The great event all over the world near the close of human probation will be "the time of Jacob's trouble." "Every strong man ... like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale ... How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it" as Jacob himself was saved out of his "night of wrestling." Severe trial but still "good news."
The "wrestling" in prayer must begin now, for it is a life experience, not a 24-hour triumph some time far in the future.
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 21, 2006.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.
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