Genesis Chapter 32

Jacob’s Wrestling

32:1-2

As Jacob continues on his way back to his homeland, angels of God meet him. This simple statement reminds us that God is ALWAYS with us and His angels are always doing His work regarding Believers. Do we remember to thank God for providing angels on our behalf? Notice that Jacob did not fear the angels because he clearly remembered his first encounter with angels 20+ years earlier on his way out of his homeland to Haran. God had told him he was to return to Canaan, and now this army, or host, of angels meets him! Jacob knew he could NEVER return to Haran, nor could any of his family, all of whom were born there, so these angels were a powerful confirmation of God’s mighty and powerful provision for him and for his entire family group. The name ‘Mahanaim’ means two hosts, probably referring to the great host, or army (camp), of angels, and the small host, or camp of his own family. This visible confirmation of the mighty angels of God being with Jacob’s family to protect them, was most certainly a great comfort and encouragement to Jacob.

32:3-5

Since God had sent his messengers, angels, to meet Jacob, he was inspired and encouraged to send messengers to his brother Esau to let him know of his return to Canaan. Notice the humble and subservient language he carefully instructs his servants to use when addressing Esau as ‘my lord’. This would be the way one would address a honored superior. He instructs his servants to also recount all the wealth, animals, servants and people he now has from Haran, indicating he is very wealthy. This would be a way of discretely telling Esau that he was NOT coming back to claim his inheritance that he had left behind 20 years ago. Why was this so important? In addition, he humbly asks to find grace in Esau’s eyes; this would mean he is asking for forgiveness and acceptance. All of this information was to assure Esau that the wealth he no doubt had been using and enjoying from Isaac, could be kept by Esau. Yet, notice that he never mentions his right, or claim, to anything, just that he is returning to his homeland and seeks reconciliation with Esau as his ‘humble servant’. Can you think of anything else that Jacob could have done or said? We can assume that he probably prayed and sought God’s wisdom and direction regarding contacting Esau, yet we are not told that in the scriptures.

32:6-7

Jacob’s messengers return with the news that they had found Esau, gave him the messages from Jacob and now he was coming to meet him. And, oh, by the way, he has 400 men with him! This last bit of news was probably what caused Jacob to be extremely afraid and distressed; plus there is no mention of any return greeting from Esau. These two facts would have caused Jacob to suspect the worst, that Esau was coming to kill Jacob and his family. Jacob remembered clearly Esau’s threats to kill him to obtain the inheritance, so had ample reason to believe the worst. Jacob doesn’t know how much time he has to prepare to defend himself against his brother, so he immediately divides his family group into two separate groups. This would probably have been inspired by the two ‘hosts’, God’s and his, mentioned in verses 1 and 2. We will see a lot of key ideas and wordplays in this Chapter of Genesis, so be sensitive to references giving the Hebrew name for various words and meanings. Remember, the Hebrew word for angels also means messengers. Although angels are far more than just simple ‘messengers’.

32:8

It is interesting that we are told what Jacob was thinking! We have not been privileged to have that information clearly given to us until now. He rationalizes that if Esau and his band of men meet them, they will kill one family group, yet the other would escape. What is wrong with this kind of thinking? Of course, we all know that Esau and his army of men would kill the one group, then immediately go after the other and do the same. No military leaders would ever stop their advance after vanquishing one small group, knowing there is another in the area. So, in reality, dividing them into groups would not protect or ensure that either group would survive. In fact, most of us know the saying, ‘divide and conquer!’ Even Jesus tells us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This would mean that any ‘division’ would weaken the family group, not strengthen it. Can you think of other instances and references to ‘division’ pertaining to weakness, not strength?

32:9

FINALLY! Jacob does what he should have done immediately. Prayed to God with all his heart and soul. Notice how he addresses God, as God of his father Abraham and God of father Isaac. He is acknowledging that the One True God is the God of both Abraham and Isaac. Now he also confirms that God is his Lord, Who spoke to him, commanding that he return to Canaan and to his people and that He would bless him and deal well with him. Jacob is praying from the very depths of his soul, recounting the promises God had given him 20+ years ago, and indicating that he is obeying God out of faith in God. Jacob is clearly telling God that he is in God’s Will by obeying Him. Jacob repeats God’s Words to him regarding the command to return and the promises of blessings and protection. Can you see the lessons for us? We have God’s Word in our hands, and we can pray His commands and blessings into our own lives! Remember, we CANNOT take God’s promises of blessings and IGNORE His commands of Faith and Obedience. Know any people who do that? Sure, we all do, so let’s NOT be one of those who foolishly think they can claim a blessing without being in God’s Will, and then whine and complain when things don’t go the way they think they should.

32:10

Jacob correctly states that he is not worthy of the least of God’s Mercies and the Truth that God has so graciously and generously given him. Are you identifying with this Truth? You should be! None of us are worthy of ANYTHING from God, not even our lives. Jacob reminds himself and confesses that he crossed over the river Jordan with only his staff, and now he has become two hosts, or families, no doubt referring to both Rachel and Leah as his wives; plus all the servants and wealth. Jacob is admitting his total dependance on God. We should always remind ourselves of our complete dependancy on God; and THANK HIM daily for His faithfulness in caring for us.

32:11-12

DELIVER ME! What a powerful cry from his heart and soul for deliverance from the evil he fears from Esau! We can cry out that very same cry of the human heart: DELIVER US FROM EVIL. We can understand why Jesus taught his disciples, and us, that we should pray daily for Deliverance from ALL evil. Jacob admits his fear for his own life and the lives of Rachel, Leah and all his children, and begs God to keep His promises and protect ALL of them from death. Jacob repeats God’s promises to him regarding the promise to do good, to bless him AND to make his seed, his posterity, so numerous that it cannot be counted. This would mean that Jacob was claiming God’s promises to him, in total faith. Jacob could see absolutely no possible way that he could protect himself and his family; he knew ONLY God had the power to do that.

32:13-20

Jacob stops and sets up camp for the night. He immediately begins to select gifts for his brother Esau, presumably to appease his brother’s long-held anger towards him. We are given a long list of the huge number of animals Jacob gives to each of his chief servants. Jacob states that they are to leave a large space between each drove of animals, with specific commands that when Esau meets up with them, questioning who they are, who owns the flocks, and where are you going? The servants are to tell them they belong to Esau’s servant, Jacob, emphasizing the ‘servant’ each time; telling Esau that the entire drove is a gift from his servant, Jacob, to Esau. Then they are to tell Esau that Jacob is coming behind them. Each servant, is to tell Esau the exact same thing, and that each drove is another present to Esau. Jacob thinks that by appeasement he can convince Esau to accept him. Does appeasement of one’s enemies ever work? Of course not, only a fool attempts to appease enemies. Nothing in God’s Word EVER tells us to appease the enemy. Too bad our political leaders haven’t learned this Truth! We too, should remember that we cannot appease the enemy of our soul. Satan and his demons will NEVER let you alone no matter what you do to appease them. Keep in mind that Satan uses other people to attack and persecute us. We must NEVER be tempted to appease them in the name of tolerance, compromise or whatever other terminology the enemy brings to mind. We cannot make peace with the enemy without being out of God’s Will. We see Nations make this same foolish mistake, trying to pacify the terrorists to obtain some kind of false security. All True deliverance from enemies comes from God, not from some appeasement efforts by men

32:21-27

Jacob sends these ‘presents’ of attempted appeasement out of the camp toward Esau. Then, in an effort to place Rachael, Leah, the maids, and his children in the safest place possible, he gets up in the night and takes them over the Jabbok brook, along with his remaining wealth. (24. – 27.) Jacob then returns to the camp, alone. We are told that a Man wrestled with Jacob until daybreak. This Man is no ordinary human, but is a Theophany of God Himself, in all probability, it is Jesus. Jacob knows that he must not give up. The Man, seeing that Jacob would not quit, touches the hollow of Jacob’s thigh, putting it out of joint as he wrestled with Him. He, the Man, tells Jacob “Let Me go, for day is breaking.” Yet Jacob refuses, saying I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me. Then the God Man asks him, ‘What is your name?’ His name would reflect his character traits. This would shock Jacob into the realization that his name, Jacob, meant supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler; and he quietly admits and confesses that his name is ‘Jacob’. Jacob realizes his character flaws and failures.

32:28

Now He, God, says ‘your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel’, which means contender with God. It also means he who perseveres with God. It is also associated with the word ‘prince’. You have contended and have power with God and men, and have prevailed. This would change Jacob’s entire attitude and character traits. We also need a change of attitude and character traits; persevering with God, seeking to strive with God to obtain a blessing, a changed and improved life. Isn’t that also what you want? We want to be changed completely into the image and likeness of Jesus. The purpose of the ‘wrestling’ was an encounter with the Living God. Jacob was forced to struggle so that he could experience the Truth that only God is in control. All our struggling with, or against, God will never be successful. The Hebrew word Ya’aqob, is Jacob; Jabboq, which is Jabbok, the place of crossing over into the promised land; and ye’abeq, meaning ‘he wrestled’. All these similarities show that before Jacob could cross the Jabbok brook to the land of blessing, he had to wrestle, or struggle. The struggle was to leave him with a permanent limp, affecting his physical strength and ability, but it resulted in great spiritual growth for Jacob, changing him forever into Israel.

32:29

When Jacob asked Him to tell him His Name, Jacob realizes he is speaking with God. Yet, the God Man asks him why he asks his name? God wants Jacob to realize that although He knows Jacob intimately, Jacob is just beginning to know the one true God. Knowing a name for God would not give Jacob, or us, an understanding of God. Then God declares a blessing on Jacob. Do we realize that God’s Name is infinite, just as He is. Think about all the names we have for God; if we began to list them they would just begin to reveal parts or aspects of God’s Character. None of us can, or will, ever completely understand our Creator God. In fact, the more we learn about God the less we realize we know and understand Him. However, this should greatly encourage us to learn more and more about our Great and Wonderful Redeemer, Creator and Lord.

32:30

Jacob calls the name of the place Peniel, which means ‘the face of God’. Yet, Jacob thanks God for sparing his life, knowing that to ‘see’ God, meant one would die. Remember, Jacob visually sees the ‘God Man’ just as centuries later people would see the God Man, Jesus.

32:31-32

As the sun rose and Jacob left Peniel, he was limping in pain because of the shrinking of the tendon of his hip. Jacob had wrestled, or struggled, with God in a face to face context. Jacob had to come to terms with the Truth that only God was in control. Jacob had to come to the truth of his own failures and flaws. Jacob could no longer rely on his own strength and conniving; he couldn’t run anymore. Yet now he knew that God’s strength and provision were more than he could ever imagine. As long as we continue to rely on our strength and our abilities, we will never learn to rely solely on God. Before Jacob could enter the promised land he had to completely trust God for ALL his needs, and the needs of his family. Remember, Jacob had just seen the host of angels, yet when he perceived impending danger from his brother, Esau, he attempted to work out the provisions for survival on his own rather than calling on and trusting God. The commentary on the dietary restrictions for the Israelites for not eating the tendon of the hindquarter of animals, pertains to this incident with Jacob struggling with God, and having the hip joint ‘touched’.

Have you wrestled, or struggled, with God? We must reach a time in our lives where we struggle with the deep and perplexing questions of life by going to God. Why must we suffer? Why must a loved one suffer? Why does God allow trials and tribulations? The answers are challenging and complex, yet the truth is simple: We must learn to trust God in all situations. Trials and tribulations are allowed to challenge and spur us on to grow spiritually and to learn to trust God, not ourselves. Do you have a situation that is beyond your control? Then it is time to seek God with all your heart and soul and truly trust Him for the outcome. Need healing? Seek a deeper, more personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Frustrated with children? God knows their heart and only the Holy Spirit can touch their soul and heart, yet you can pray and trust God for the outcome. Financial struggles? God owns the cattle on a thousand hills; He actually owns the entire Universe, so nothing is beyond His capabilities, trust Him for your needs. Yet remember, we must be discerning to seek God’s Will for our lives. Whining for a new car, house, or whatever; may not be what is best for you. God knows the difference between a NEED and a WANT. Do you? We need to be good stewards of all He has provided, both physically and spiritually. Most of all, we desperately need to come to terms with OUR OWN character traits and flaws and confess them and ask for God’s healing transformation. And lastly, God’s timing is always perfect, He knows exactly when and how He will meet your Eternal needs as you continue to trust and obey Him.