Follow God or Oppose God, We All Wrestle 

That episode in the Bible always stuck with me. Jacob is trembling at the idea of meeting his brother knowing he and his family might perish, and he prays alone at night, hoping God will comfort and strengthen him. What he gets is a mysterious night long fight from which he emerges limping. The Angel initiates the fight and none of them wins for a long time. The conclusion is the strike to Jacob's side. Jacob doesn't want to let him go, he wants to know his name, and the Angel responds: why do you ask my name? (As in: don't you know me? In the Bible God sends his Angels to speak for Him as Himself) And then Jacob gets a new name. "Because you have wrestled with God, and you won." Jacob will be a patriarch whose memory is immortal. His 12 kids will start families that will become huge tribes and the whole people of Israel. His son Joseph will be king of Egypt and save his family and the country from famine. And Jacob was just a good, simple guy with a young family trying to get by at that point. Running from his own brother after living in exile, working for his relative, for years. He fears his brother will skin him and God... just sends him one more fight. And the next day his brother is happy to see him and all is well. Sometimes I feel God is like a good dad that if I fall, will pat me and comfort me but won't share my panic and pessimism. On the contrary he'll challenge me to stand up again. "You can do this. Come on." I see that in Jesus's Passion. Jacob praying for his life, alone at night, always reminded me of Jesus praying in the garden before they came to arrest Him. Just the thought of what was about to happen was unspeakable fear for both. They are both challenged to keep on fighting. Jesus also emerges from his prayer place somewhat limping, like someone who has been bleeding, but He will walk straight towards the people who are coming for Him along with the "brother", one of his best friends, Judas, who will put Him to death. Jesus will die, but just three days later His victory shows. With Him, life goes on, life goes up, life comes back, life restarts and renews. Life has a new face and a new name. All this I felt it come true in me, in my deepest hellish experiences, and He knows I owe him my will to live and my hope and sanity, praise be to Him forever. Thank you Dr. Peterson for what you do.

I was reading this passage yesterday, almost at the same time this was posted. Jacob did not "win", as in overpowering the Angel, but he passed the test. When the Angel touches his hip, it's a clear sign he could have destroyed Jacob from the very beginning, but that was not the intention of the fight. It was to test Jacob's heart, and I think that's something we have to take as a lesson. Not letting go of God, whether the relationship we have with him is smooth or conflictive, we cannot let go of his blessing and, more importantly, His presence in our lives.

"IMAGINE WHO YOU COULD BE, AND THEN AIM SINGLE MINDEDLY AT THAT". YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Follow God, reject the Devil. God bless Dr. Peterson

Praying for you as you walk through this present “trial”, my brother. God be with you.

The ten second pause is best.

I've had extreme nightmares for most of my life. But after hearing this, I'm much more grateful for those wrestlings and opportunities to try to win, even when I fall.

I'm praying for Dr. Peterson I hope one day he comes into full salvation. Head knowledge is just that head knowledge and you can miss heaven by 18 inches if you don't let head knowledge become heart transformation....God Bless!!!

You gotta love this guy! God bless JP!

May you have long long life among us, Jordan Peterson...!

As usual brilliant and articulated

I will follow God!

I wouldn’t say he was victorious, he simply didn’t lose. I think the very fact that God could simply touch him and defeat him (and he did that’s how the hip injury came about) shows just how amazing it is that God was willing to fight Jacob on Jacob’s terms rather than destroying him outright. P.S. In English bibles in the old testament there are specific references to a specific angel whose name is always written with a capital letter A if it says “Angel”. Scholars believe this to be Jesus, and that’s why the Angel could tell Jacob he fought with God. Not ambiguious at all really. Jacob fought Jesus.

I have often wrestled with my faith and come to the conclusion that believing in the existence of God and having faith in God are two different things.

They can’t stop this man he is anointed

We all do better when we lift each other up, thanks for the reminder.

to be chosen by God is to wrestle with that which is highest _ GREAT WISDOM

This was the Manchester show at the O2. Looking forward to the new tour

Looking forward to hearing more about wrestling with the Divine Truth in March when you visit Atlanta. Much love from GA Dr.

Thanks!

thank you.

He gets it ❤

Divine timing

Some things we wrestle about, and other things we are in complete agreement on. Interesting relationship, that's for sure!

Thanks.

Love you sir …

God bless JBP. Excited. Mahalo nui

God bless you Jordan, god is using you in a mighty way to reach people

You say its not those who believe but those who wrestle that are chosen. Good point. But consider the reason for the wrestling. The wrestling was not AGAINST God, but rather FOR a blessing FROM God. This key point makes a significant difference, BECAUSE one cannot wrestle with God FOR a blessing FROM Him if one does not first BELIEVE in Him.

A modern day CS Lewis, & then some! …with the same accent my uncles have! 🙌🏽

Getting closer to that real calling I see DrPeterson

I feel challenged to do almost anything single-mindedly. I remember experiencing that state in my youth. I guess I should accept the challenge.

This was in Stl. Was there for it it was a fantastic experience

Wow AMEN 🙏

His the best at explaining things I swear

Thy will be done. Surrender. Be still and know that I am God 🙏💗

Just bought tickets for his tour stop in Los Angeles 👌

We do! I’ve left the debating society❤️🥰❤️❤️❤️

Help me Lord

I was curious for most of the video what it precisely was to wrestle with God; I understood loosely the points surrounding it, but once he got to the matter of contrasting it from the total subjugation to a totalitarian ideology, I think I got it more. Part of it is the integration of Chaos into one's conception of the binding Ideal -- the struggle isn't just to embody one's ideal but also to critique and attack one's conception of it in the hope that one might draw nearer to what it actually is. The point of great optimism in which Jacob actually seems to win (or at least is not overcome) is that perhaps -- for all man's fallibilities -- he can still draw at least somewhat nearer to the Ideal. It's sort of an Asymptote -- one will not ever 'intersect' with the True Ideal, but one may still draw infinitely near, and that's worthwhile.

Dr. JP never missed! His interpretions of the Biblical stories are simply well thought out and amazing. Well done professor!

This reminds me of a somewhat similar theme from the parable of the prodigal son about boxing with God as a means of submitting to His discernment.

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Do you seek to be chosen or seek to serve? Which is less selfish? Be willing to fight any battle that needs to be fought regardless of what the outcome may be, even if it is only for the right to ask questions or the right to sit and listen. Needs to be fought is the key phrase here because some battles are won by not fighting. Wrestling is fighting, I need not wrestle things which I do not doubt, nor do I need to wrestle with things that I know are beyond my ability to handle or comprehend. Should I do good things because a reward is promised or because I want to be the kind of person that does good things? None of this is as complex as we make it, and yes, in my life I have fought something I knew I could not beat, still needed done...

Wrestling - not rebellion nor rejection. You might call it negotiating, as Moses did regarding the people of Israel, and Abraham, regarding the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Contending, but never contemptuous. Wrestling is a rich word, full of meaning.

A diamond os formed by pressure. Just like strong character is formed by your daily struggles. You can let it crush you or shape you.

Whether you have faith in him or not - wrestle with him.

I've wondered how you handle the part of Abraham's story where his faith is scored as righteousness and resulting justification.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

In order to “wrestle” one must be in very close proximity to the one in which you are wrestling with. It’s about motive, and it’s always about motive. Jacob’s motive was to establish his identity in the Lord. Who he was, wrestled with who he longed to be. A son of God. In most cases, the atheistic motive is not to wrestle with God but rather to be liberated from the entanglements that are required to do so.

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I don t follow any Gods, but I love studying religions and I really love Jordan Peterson…such a win win situation.

Love the suit, it's so you...and so you...

Well Jacob did have faith (trusting belief) in God's existence , he just didn't trust his blessing as Jacob. That's why God permanently dislocated his hip, so he couldn't trust in his own strength. Even so he wouldn't let God go until God gave him what he asked him for, a blessing from the ultimate Father from heaven! You don't ask for a blessing from someone you don't believe in, or else how will they be able to give it to you? Only those that believe in God will wrestle with him and ask him for blessings. God changed his name as a sign that he was a changed man, he would now lean on God to bless him. Sinners mock God and refuse to acknowledge his very existence. No wrestling there, just contempt and rage against God that will result in their total destruction under his fiery wrath.😢 As for true New Testament believers in Christ, we not only wrestle with God at times, but we also wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Dr. Peterson's biblical musings are a perfect example of why mixing Greek philosophy with Scripture is NEVER a good idea.🤦🏻‍♀️ 🤷🏻‍♀️ Perhaps Dr. Peterson will "win" his wrestling match and ask the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive his sins and bless him with salvation.☺️♥️

Love God

Excellent point about the Atheists, Dr. Peterson. Could some Atheists possibly be considered the 'Righteous of other Nations'?

What should I wear to one of his lectures? Is there a sort of dress code?

My hip hurts!

I haven't yet seen other commentators with very different viewpoints, such as Richard Dawkins, speak in such a way or offer such interpretations of the human condition. In RD's use, he tends to oppose these kinds of views, but doesn't offer much of an alternative. Thank you Jordan - keep on wrestling!

In my notion and understanding about God is God is my tag team mate, every moment of my thought could be so devilish or bad or mischievous so I want to keep check that way,but exploring the Gods Profile is new to me ,hoping to know more about God's model from Dr.J Peterson 👍🙏

Mr. Peterson. What is the upper most for you?

An incredible man. Not sure about the suit though. 😊

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Where is this full lecture?

JP♥️

wrestling.. continual knocking.. how far will we go with God to see Him face to face?

Thank You 🙏 Jesus 😇 For Love 💕 and Peace

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Profound thought: To be a believer is to commit to the rigour of contending with the structure of reality, objectivity and Faith. To struggle with your human deficits as you strive for a higher moral order. Your rational mind struggles to reconcile the contradiction between a perfect, all powerful, all knowing & all merciful God with the suffering of humanity, and specifically the events in our own lives that we consider to be unfair....YES we wrestle with GOD!

I mostly agree. What could it mean to wrestle with God? If God is the natural order and potential of the universe, then to wrestle with God means to establish new truth that was always true, but was unknown as an aspect of reality until that point. Simply holding up the established (blind following of religion) denies oneself of the opportunity to wrestle God just as one who asserts falsehoods as truth; to wrestle God would mean to overcome the limitations of what is known by adding to the pool of what is known (the kingdom of man under God).

what if one does not care ?

no resistance, no gain…

lord Jesus and our heavenly father bless this man.

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📚 *The title "We Who Wrestle with God" is inspired by the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel or God in the Book of Genesis.* 01:09 🌐 *The term "Israel" originates from the story, representing the chosen people who wrestle with God, emphasizing the universal nature of grappling with higher ideals.* 01:52 ⚖️ *Regardless of religious belief, individuals, including atheists, engage in intense moral and ethical wrestling, making it a cornerstone of identity.* 02:33 🤔 *The concept challenges the idea that believers are chosen; instead, those who struggle and wrestle with the highest ideals are considered chosen.* 03:22 💪 *To be chosen by God is not about blind belief but to wrestle with the highest ideals, allowing them to grip and obsess over, promoting psychological integration.* 04:17 🌍 *Unity of purpose, oriented towards a shared vision, is seen as essential for societal coherence, contrasting with confusion, fragmentation, and hopelessness.* 05:02 🌱 *The optimism lies in finding purpose in the act of wrestling itself, rather than in totalitarian beliefs, blind ideology, or corrosive cynicism.* Made with HARPA AI

In taking Dr. Peterson's license they freed him for so much more to so many more.

Powerful statement no excuses , God will not stand for that .

"There Are Two Wolfs Fighting In All Of Us , One Good , One Evil . The One You Feed Is The One That Wins" [Native American Proverb] 🪶

I had the same thought. That the Israelite people, even though they saw all these incredible miracles still created a calf out of gold. And worshipped it despite knowing how real God was. The plagues of Egypt. Entire mountains on fire. Walls of fire barring the enemy from attacking you. The red sea parting so that you can pass. How was that not the definition of a stiff neck people?

Thank you for respecting my freedom of speech. To believe that self is “evil” could and has resulted in many people (including members of clergy) … committing suicide. To believe that we are ALL emotionally damaged … suggests that we are all one and the same. Beware of those who claim to know … not only that a creator exists … but give off airs of knowing WHAT the creator is “thinking.” I prefer to invest faith in the scientific theory that the universe always existed … no creator … no plan … and that suffering of all forms of life … is “natural.” If I could cast off the spell of religion at age 70 … there is hope for everyone. I am now 84, and believe that if I am as kind to others as each situation allows … I can’t do better than my best.

Remember appeasement avoidance crucial for survival.

FightingFlesh

I wonder where Jordan was during this video?

sup jordan.

Yup ! That is one of principles that Universe drives on .

"The children of the kingdom will be thrown into outer darkness and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"

Above all trust god

No, humanists don’t wrestle with the concept at all.

Thought: When one wrestles with another you must be physically close. Touching God.

Traditional Christians: this man does not represent you

When Jesus arrives those who kneel in prayer will have peace. Those who do not will struggle with themselves. Knock and he will answer ❤😊

*Massive amount of comment censorship going on in this video.* (Never of the the obvious crypto/investment spam/scam bot or political harassment bots of course.)

It’s very simple: God is not an idea, it’s a reality, for both believers and non-believers. Deal with that.

I wrestle with God and I’m glad for it. If I figured it all out then what the hell would I think about, Brittney Speers? One of the reasons for the mysteries is to keep God in the front of your thoughts otherwise you would just take him for granted. It,s genius!

Peterson writes faster than me reading him.

"Too short to box with God"

What if you cannot imagine who you could be? What if you cannot even imagine being? What then? Aim for that void, that abyss?

why should anyone wrestle with everlasting life? It is a matter of change.

This suit is so hard

When are you sorting down work Doug Wilson?

Ask God, that is Will be accomplished in you, and then once you receive understanding, aim at that, and don’t waiver.