By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
TRANSFORMED
Genesis 32:24–32
Jacob is returning home after a 20-year sojourn in Mesopotamia. He encountered the angels of God when he left Canaan, and now he is encouraged by the angels of God on his return to Canaan. His angelic-induced encouragement quickly fades as he contemplates making things right with his older brother Esau.
He sent word to Esau he was returning, and he learned Esau and 400 men were coming to meet him. With Esau and his small army approaching, Jacob was not thinking about angels. All that was on his mind was survival. Jacob’s mounting fear prompted him to pray his first recorded prayer in Scripture (Gen. 32:9–12).
In this prayer we can see God is at work transforming Jacob. He prayed for God to protect him from his brother Esau. He then organized more than 550 animals to be presented to Esau, a gift fit for a king. Jacob sent his wives and children across the fast-flowing stream Jabbok to provide them additional protection.
The Match (24–26)
It was the darkest night of Jacob’s life as he set alone reflecting on the past and wondering what the next day might bring. A powerful hand grabbed Jacob and began to wrestle him. He could not see anything in the darkness, and his attacker was silent and nameless. Jacob wrestled the unidentified man until the breaking of the day.
Jacob did not know through most of that night he was wrestling with God. In that moment he could not see that the wrestling match was a parable of his entire life. Jacob’s life has been one wrestling match after another: with his brother, his father, his father-in-law and now with God.
When the unidentified man saw he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket and knocked it out of joint. A touch that dislocates suggests an opponent with superhuman power. Jacob’s leg was left dangling after that mere touch. This was a crippling grace from the hand of God. God accommodated His omnipotent strength to that of Jacob as He wrestled with him in human form.
Clinging to his assailant Jacob would not let go without a blessing. Obviously Jacob perceived his attacker was no ordinary man. Jacob sensed the divine.
The Title (27–29)
The assailant asked, “What is your name?” When he replied, “Jacob,” it was a confession of guilt. He was a deceiver, a fraud. This confession resulted in amazing grace that led to further transformation within Jacob. Instead of merely blessing him, the assailant changed Jacob’s name to Israel to indicate his new character.
In the context Israel means “he strives with God.” The renaming of Jacob brings to a climax a lifetime of struggling with others. Jacob has finally come to realize the importance of being blessed by God. The events of the preceding years have changed Jacob. The God of his father has now become his God. For Jacob the day of failure through power was over. For Israel the day of success through weakness had begun. Encouraged by his new name Israel was emboldened to ask: “Please tell me Your name.” The assailant responded: “Why is it that you ask My name?” Then He blessed Israel.
The Venue (30–32)
At last Israel realized that he had been wrestling with God. Israel named the place “Peniel,” which means the face of God. Jacob (now Israel) prevailed when he came to the end of himself. His defeat wrought victory. His end was actually his beginning.
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