The story of Israel is the story of her repeated rejection of Yahweh’s emissaries, and thus of Yahweh himself. The gospel is the announcement that Yahweh will not allow Himself to be rejected: Resurrection is the I in the TULIP.
Jacob, the first Israel, wrestled with everyone, and found he was wrestling with God. Israel, his people, wrestled, but unlike Jacob wrestled in rebellion against the Lord’s servants. The surprise of the gospel story is that Israel finds she has been wrestling with God the whole time. The whole of the gospel takes place on the banks of the Jabbok, as God wrestles with Israel, until those who seek a blessing cross into the promised land at daybreak.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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