How Wrestling God Awakened Jacob’s Pineal Gland Written by: Joshua Tilghman I don’t think God has ever been in a WWF ring, but there is a recorded event in the Bible which could be the ancient equivalent, at least if it were interpreted literally. Did Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, really wrestle God like the scripture seems to say he did? If so, it would be one of the stranger stories of the Bible. But we can rest assured the story isn’t about a man wrestling the Almighty. So what’s the story really about, and how can it help us in our spiritual journey? As it turns out, this story is quite profound! It was meant to teach us about God, and more importantly, it teaches us about a spiritual journey “within”. It is the same “within” that Jesus speaks of when he states that the Kingdom of God is within you. Let’s dive into the wrestling match of Jacob and God in Genesis to understand what I mean. Jacob’s wrestling match with God takes place near the end of Genesis chapter 32. Jacob is in the process of returning to the land God promised Abraham. At one point in the journey, Jacob divides up his family and animals into different companies and sends them ahead while he stays back on one side of a creek. He is completely alone. According to the Biblical story, something strange happens that night; a mysterious man wrestles with him until daybreak. But who is this mystery man and where did he come from? The story gets even stranger. This mystery man could not beat Jacob at the wrestling match, but he is able to dislocate Jacob’s thigh. This same man then tries to leave once morning comes, but Jacob doesn’t let him, at least not until he gets a blessing from the man. When all is said and done, the man tells Jacob that “…Thy name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and has prevailed.” (Gen 32:28). Here we get our first hint that the mystery man is God himself. The fact that the Biblical author means the mystery man to be God is revealed two verses later: “And Jacob called the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Gen 32:30). A couple of things to note here: first we see that the mystery man Jacob wrestled with is God himself. Second we see that Jacob prevailed in the struggle with God. If we think about all of this literally, it makes no sense. So, as always, I ask the question: what is the real spirit of the scripture in this story? I want you to notice that Jacob said he saw God “face to face.” This is where things get really interesting. While Jacob did not see a literal face, he did see God, or at least the Biblical writer’s concept of God. It just wasn’t with the physical eyes. There’s a special word in verse 30 that tips us off to what this whole experience was really about, and although it’s not common knowledge, ancient world stories were full of this kind of experience. It all has to do with the word “Peniel.” Verse thirty already told us that Peniel was the name Jacob gave the place where the wrestling match with God happened. But that’s not what’s important. What is important is that “Peniel” is meant to be a real place inside you! Now pay attention, because this is how the story of Jacob’s wrestling match affects you. There is a special gland that sits at the center of the brain called the Pineal gland. In ancient cultures it was known as the “third eye.” It is known as an eye because the Pineal gland in your brain has a special relationship to light. Just like the retina of your physical eyes, the Pineal gland also contains light-sensitive cells. In fact, they are similar to some of the cells that make up the retina. I now want you to dwell on a very important quote by Jesus given in Matthew so that you understand how serious this is: “…The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22). Jesus is not talking about... Continue to read more on Josh's website Spirit of the Scripture.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About ThatGirlJamika Blogspot...
The purpose of our blog page is to provide a platform for self expression of JamikaB, talented artist, and today's youth. To provide assistance to those in need of fashion and beauty services but also reaching out to those on a journey to peace, love, and joy. All things in hopes to inspire us all to live to our fullest potential in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: SOME PHOTOS AND WRITINGS ARE NOT MY OWN. JUST A COLLECTION OF MY OWN IDEAS INSPIRED BY OTHER PEOPLE'S ART AND SONGS. THANK YOU Copyright 2012-2014 © Jamika Babbitt Archives
March 2018
Copyright 2012-2015 © Jamika Babbitt. All rights reserved.
|