an excerpt

that night, a man entered Jacob's tent and wrestled with him until the break of day.
and he saw that he prevailed not against him, he said, "Let me go."

Jacob answered, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."

then the man said to him: "As a prince, hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. What is thy name?"
and he said, Jacob.

and the man answered: "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel."

Elijah awoke with a a start and looked at the firmament. that was the story that was missing!

long ago, the patriarch Jacob had encamped, and during the night, someone had entered his tent and wrestled with him until daybreak. Jacob accepted the combat, even knowing that his adversary was the Lord. at morning, he had still not been defeated; and the combat ceased only when God agreed to bless him.

the story had been transmitted from generation to generation so that no one could forget: sometimes it was necessary to struggle with God. every human being at some time had tragedy enter his life; it might be the destruction of a city, the death of a son, an unproved accusation, a sickness that left one lame forever. at that moment, God challenged one to confront Him and to answer His question: "Why dost thou cling fast to an existence so short and so filled with suffering? What is the meaning of thy struggle?"

-- The Fifth Mountain
by Paulo Coelho