Wrestling with God

Jeremiah does not like Mr. Andreeson, and he definitely does not want to accompany Mr. Andreeson in his search for Davy. For most people there seems to be a simple solution: do not assist Mr. Andreeson. But Jeremiah Land does not lead himself to do what seems right and best by conventional wisdom. He is a man guided through prayer. On pages 217-218 of Peace Like a River, Jeremiah “wrestles” with God in prayer through words and physicality over what he should do in regards to Mr. Andreeson. He raises his voice against God. This scene reminds me of the Biblical story of Jacob wrestling with God.

In Genesis 32:21-32, Jacob wrestles with God and receives a blessing from Him. It is interesting though what happens in verse 30 after the “wrestling match” is over: “So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.’” Jacob reveals in this statement that it is an extraordinary thing to have seen God and lived. It shows the level of fear that he had toward God, knowing that he is blessed even to be alive after what had occurred. Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, responds likewise with an attitude of fear at the presence of God, exclaiming that he should be dead in His presence. Similarly in Peace Like a River, Roxanna responds with an attitude much like Jacob and Isaiah. “At this Roxanna covered her mouth, for it occurred to her with Whom he wrestled. Having long ago accepted the fact of God, Roxanna had not conceived of going toe to toe with Him over any particular concern” (217-218). This is the type of response I would have. Who could possibly wrestle with the living God? Who would dare face the Creator of the Universe? Yet in the Biblical story of Jacob we see a man do it, and in this scene from Peace Like a River we see a man do it. The final question then that is raised in my mind is this: How must a man know God to be willing to wrestle with Him?


Enger, Leif. Peace Like A River. New York: Grove Press, 2001. Print.