We find ourselves in that very situation with Jacob, our patriarch, fresh off his epic nocturnal struggle. The scene opens right after the wrestling match, where Michael, no less – arguably the most distinguished of the angels – is astonished. "How is it possible," he asks Jacob, according to Legends of the Jews, "that thou who couldst prevail against me, the most distinguished of the angels, art afraid of Esau?" It’s a fair question, right? You just pinned an angel! What's a brother you haven't seen in years compared to that?
As dawn breaks, the drama continues. Michael says to Jacob, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." But Jacob, ever the tenacious one, holds him back. "Art thou a thief, or a gambler with dice, that thou fearest the daylight?" he demands. This isn't just stubbornness; it's a deep-seated need for reassurance, for a blessing before facing his brother Esau, from whom he's been estranged for so long.
Suddenly, the heavenly host appears, calling out to Michael. "Ascend, O Michael, the time of song hath come, and if thou art not in heaven to lead the choir, none will sing!" Imagine the pressure! Michael, according to this account in Legends of the Jews, fears the angels of 'Arabot – the highest heaven – would consume him with fire if he's late for celestial choir practice. He pleads with Jacob to let him go, but Jacob is unmoved.
"I will not let thee go, except thou bless me," Jacob declares. Now, think about this for a moment. Jacob, a mortal man, demanding a blessing from an archangel. The nerve! Michael pushes back, "Who is greater, the servant or the son? I am the servant, and thou art the son. Why, then, cravest thou my blessing?" It’s a power dynamic flipped on its head.
Jacob, never one to back down from a good theological argument, counters, "The angels that visited Abraham did not leave without blessing him!" He's holding Michael to a precedent, a standard of divine hospitality. Michael explains that those angels were specifically sent by God to bless Abraham, while he was not.
The back-and-forth intensifies. Michael even warns Jacob that some angels who revealed heavenly secrets were banished for one hundred and thirty-eight years! "Dost thou desire that I should acquaint thee with what would cause my banishment likewise?" he asks. It’s a serious threat, a glimpse into the consequences of overstepping celestial boundaries.
Yet, Jacob remains steadfast. He simply won’t release Michael until he receives a blessing. So what does Michael do?
He takes counsel with himself, according to Legends of the Jews, and decides to reveal a secret to Jacob. His reasoning is fascinating: "I will reveal a secret to him, and if God demands to know why I revealed it, I will make answer, Thy children stand upon their wishes with Thee, and Thou dost yield to them. How, then, could I have left Jacob's wish unfulfilled?"
Think about the implications of that! Michael acknowledges that even God, in a sense, yields to the persistence and heartfelt desires of His children. Jacob's unwavering determination, his refusal to let go, ultimately compels the angel to grant his request.
This story isn't just about a wrestling match or a stubborn patriarch. It’s about the power of persistence, the audacity of faith, and the idea that even the divine can be moved by the sincere yearning of the human heart. What secrets was Michael willing to betray? And what blessing did Jacob ultimately receive? That, my friends, is a story for another time.