The account of Jacob wrestling with God is one of the more confusing stories in the book of Genesis, yet it is clearly a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life. On this occasion, he is given the name Israel, meaning “he who strives or wrestles with God.” This name would commemorate Jacob’s wrestling match with God for generations to come. What is so significant about this story and what lessons is it intended to teach us?
This encounter with God comes at a climactic moment in Jacob’s life. He has spent the last 20 years away from home, forced to flee because of the jealous anger of his brother Esau. These have been hard and tumultuous years, but years of great blessings as well. He continually has had to wrestle with the deceptive dealings of his father-in-law Laban, and yet through it all God has given him a large family and abundant livestock. Now, having achieved great prosperity, he is ready to return home.
The uncertainty of his brother’s attitude toward him makes what should be a joyous occasion a time of fear and anxiety. It is reported to Jacob that Esau is on his way to meet him with an army of 400 men. It doesn’t appear this will be a blissful reunion. Jacob immediately jumps into action preparing his camp for an attack. He separates his household into two companies to give them a better chance of survival against Esau’s army. He prays to God for protection and then sets up several outposts of herdsmen with gifts to appease Esau’s wrath. He is up late into the evening making all of these preparations. Finally, there is nothing more to be done but anxiously wait for his brother’s arrival.
It is at this moment we are told, “Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak” (Gen 32:24, NASB). All his nervous energy is given an outlet as he defends himself against this stranger in the dark. Is this one of Esau’s men or just a vagrant trying to rob him? Jacob doesn’t seem to know the man’s identity or intent (v. 29) but he is determined to prevail. Even after the socket of Jacob’s thigh is dislocated, he refuses to surrender (vv. 25-26). No matter what pain he must endure, Jacob will not let go. He has always been a fighter. From the first day, when his hand grasped Esau’s heel, he has wrestled with those above him to pull his way to the top (Gen 25:26). He maneuvered his way past Esau to gain the birthright and blessing from his father Isaac. He battled past Laban’s deceptions to establish himself as a wealthy patriarch. This stranger in the dark will be no different.
Jacob’s words to the man hearken back to his heel clinging days of infancy: “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Gen 32:26, NASB). This is a perfect picture of grit and determination. Through injury and exhaustion, Jacob refuses to give up until this stranger relinquishes whatever blessing he has to offer.
The man’s response is enigmatic. “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed” (Gen 32:28, NASB). He does not simply proclaim a blessing; he gives Jacob a new identity. This is not like those who have called down God’s blessings earlier in the book (Melchizedek in Gen 14:19-20 or Rebekah’s family in Gen 24:60). This echoes the blessings of God Himself who changed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah (Gen 17:4-5, 15-16). Furthermore, Jacob is told that his wrestling has ventured beyond flesh and blood to the realm of the divine. Jacob or “supplanter” commemorated his wrestling against his brother Esau. Israel or “he who wrestles with God” will commemorate him prevailing against a much mightier foe.
As Jacob tries to piece this together in his mind, he inquires about the identity of his mysterious opponent. The man’s refusal to respond only heightens Jacob’s suspicions (compare Judg 13:17-18). The man leaves before the light of dawn has fully broken. Jacob then calls the place Peniel or “the face of God” saying, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved” (Gen 32:30, NASB). Here is the true lesson God wanted Jacob to learn. He had not prevailed by his own grit and determination; he had prevailed by God’s mercy. This was not only true of his nighttime wrestling match, but of all the strife and struggle he had endured throughout life. Jacob was not a self-made man, but a man blessed by divine providence. God had been extremely gracious to him, not because of all his “wrestling,” but even in spite of it.
As Esau finally arrives and responds positively to all Jacob’s efforts of appeasement, Jacob makes this statement: “If now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably. Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me…” (Gen 33:10-11, NASB). Jacob sees his unworthiness of Esau’s favor as a reflection of his deeper unworthiness of God’s gracious blessings throughout life. The blessings of life he has been doggedly grasping for are now eagerly given away in a humble expression of gratitude.
So what is the lesson for us in all this? Attaining God’s blessings is not about our ability to prevail upon him in eloquent or persistent prayer. It is not about us proving our worthiness before His throne. When we grasp onto His heel it is not to demand He relinquish His blessings to us. We reach out to touch the corner of His garment in an appeal for divine mercy. We latch on to the promise that His grace is for the humble. We rest all our hopes and dreams on His ability to lift up those who throw themselves at His feet (James 4:6-10).