The Bible details many interesting encounters humans have had with God. In Eden, we read of God walking, talking and interacting with Adam and Eve. At their creation God gave them a language, knowledge, wisdom and mental gifts that allowed for the interaction. There is no doubt that we cannot understand or compare God to ourselves in any way that makes sense. He is Almighty, we are weak. He is all wise, we are ignorant. God is always right, we are often wrong. In every encounter with God, only His love, kindness and compassion for us humans makes a positive and good interaction possible. God enjoys a positive encounter with His children. His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Yet, God encourages us to seek Him, call upon Him and forsake wicked ways and thoughts of unrighteousness (Isaiah 55:6-7). God so loved mankind He sent His only begotten Son to save us (John 3:16), and God has given a guideline for our thoughts and actions in the Holy Scriptures. Peter noted that we can develop the divine nature of God, and we must (2 Peter 1:4-8). God is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, but by no means clearing the guilty (Exodus 34:6-7). We are expected to learn to think in line with God’s thinking.

Jacob wrestled with God

One amazing account of interaction with God is found in Genesis 32:24-32. We read of the impossible wrestling match between Jacob and God. It seemed to last all night and God did not use much of His power, but then touched Jacob’s hip and dislocated the joint.

God seems pleased that Jacob did not give up in this impossible match—and in the end blessed Jacob. It seems God rather enjoyed the determination of Jacob and the testing of his grit to persevere against great odds. Jacob had overcome much of his humanity during the years God worked with him and it seems God tested him.

We wrestle with God

God’s people today are to grow in compassion, mercy, kindness and love toward the people of this world. We are to follow the example of Jesus Christ and develop the qualities shown in 1 Corinthians 13. When we grow in these areas, we may be confronted with events that we find hard to fathom. We may not know what to do and we may question God. Christ Himself cried out to God “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me” at one moment (Matthew 27:46). We observe human suffering, hunger, disease, warfare, physical pain and suffering and we would want to help. The very qualities God wants us to develop cry out for intervention—but we know we are helpless and only God can help. We wonder how and why God is silent as we live in a world surrounded by evil. We wrestle inwardly at times. Where is God in the face of great horrors?

Survivors of the holocaust such as Elie Wiesel said at one point, “Never will I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes” (Witness, by Ariel Burger). And yet, he came to realize that in fact God was always present and it is we humans who do not see the whole picture. We wrestle with God because we do not always understand His actions and purpose in what He allows. The wonder of it is that it pleases God that we wrestle in a respectful manner. He sees Himself in His children.

Job wrestled with God

Possibly one of the most notable men who wrestled with God was Job. Job loved God and was declared as blameless and a truly godly man by God (Job 1:8). But Job asked why he was treated as he was and asked what he had done that was so wrong (Job 7:17-21). During his “wrestling,” Job stated he knew God was wise in heart and mighty, but if Job called, God would not answer, and if God did answer, Job would not believe God heard him (Job 9:4, 14-20). We may often feel that we wrestle with God in this way, but the wonder of this book is that God stated that all Job had spoken of Him was right (Job 42:7). Obviously, God was pleased with Job as he agonized and wrestled with his thoughts.

Abraham and Jonah wrestled with God

Abraham was one who became a friend of God and knew that it would not offend God if he questioned some of God’s actions. He also walked before God in a blameless manner (Genesis 17:1). God disclosed His plan for the punishment upon Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, and Abraham wrestled with God about that destruction. He knew he was just dust and ashes—who was he to wrestle with God (Genesis 18:17-33)? His attitude pleased God because He could see His own heart in the words of Abraham. God, too, eschews the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). The account itself reflects honor, respect and joy on God’s part. How could a man who knew what he was compared to the Almighty know it was acceptable to wrestle with God? In comparison, no doubt God was displeased with Jonah, because Jonah rejoiced in the death of the wicked (Jonah 4:11), contrary to God’s nature.

Moses wrestled with God

The account of Moses who was unwilling at first, but who came to love the people of Israel, reveals several times when Moses disagreed with God. We may say in a mental or spiritual sense, Moses wrestled with God. One major incident came just after God had given Moses the instructions for Israel and Moses returned from the mountain to find the people were deep in sin. They were deserving of God’s wrath, but when God told Moses to stand aside so He could consume them all and start over with Moses, Moses objected and said if God would not forgive, then he, Moses, wanted to be blotted out with them (Exodus 32:10, 32). Moses had learned love, forgiveness, mercy and compassion for these people. After all, he too was a human. God also loved Israel (Isaiah 49:14-16).

God was pleased with Moses and spoke with him face to face (Exodus 33:11). How unimaginable it is that the Almighty would sit and talk with a man face to face! God seemed to enjoy the encounters with Moses. He also enjoyed the mental wrestling when Moses said he did not want to lead them unless His Presence was with them and then also asked God how the people would know God was with him (Exodus 33:14-16). Certainly God knew that, but was pleased that Moses cared.

In another account a little more than a year later, God had brought Israel to the border of the Promised Land, but Israel had rejected God 10 times and they were not worthy of receiving the promise (Numbers 14:11-13, 20-23). God again told Moses He would destroy Israel and start again with Moses. The reply from Moses was to protect God’s reputation by not destroying Israel, though God was surely fully aware of the thought Moses expressed.

Our attitude in wrestling

There are many other examples in the Scriptures that reveal God working with humans and enjoying it when their reaction is a godly one. God rejoices as He sees Himself in the words and deeds of a person. It makes an interesting biblical search to find similar examples.

When we see great evil, we may wonder where God is or why He does not intervene. It is acceptable to wonder and ask—and then wait. God tests our attitudes during times of great trials. He wants to see His own personality and thoughts mirrored in us. That clearly is a purpose for which we are created. When you wrestle with God, remember He will love your effort when made in respect and love for Him.