God Changed Jacob's Name To

That night Jacob got upwards and took his 2 wives, his 2 maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. Afterwards he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. And so Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak." –Genesis 32:22-24

I would love to be an owl in a nearby tree and watch this fascinating consequence unfold.

You may read Genesis 32:22-32 hither: Bible Gateway.

Several questions surface after reading this passage. Here's what I've learned so far.

Why did Jacob ship anybody on ahead as he stayed behind prior to meeting up with Esau?

After 20 years to ponder how—or when—Esau might kill him (for cheating Esau of both his birthright and blessings), tomorrow would be the big day. Would Jacob live or dice?

Distressed and terrified, Jacob lagged behind to pray. Hosea 12:iii-5 tells us that Jacob's wrestling non merely involved concrete tenacity, but also weeping and supplication.

Is this passage to be taken as an allegory or literal account?

It seems apparent that the writer of this passage (probably originally Jacob) meant for this account to exist taken literally. Even the name Jabbok means "Wrestler" in memory of Jacob's astonishing experience. If Jacob always chalked his experience up to just existence a dream, he had a permanent limp to remind him of his concrete wrestling match.

Layman's Bible Commentary notes: "The man [Jacob's wrestling opponent] is deliberately crippling Jacob at the indicate of his greatest strength [the thigh being the largest and strongest muscle connexion of the body]."

"Therefore to this twenty-four hours the Israelites practice not consume the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, considering the socket of Jacob's hip was touched nigh the tendon," (vs. 32).

Hmm . . . an interesting development, especially prior to meeting Esau. Jacob would be weak from wrestling all night. Definitely not in his best fighting form!

But why would God send Jacob off limping (also a reminder of this unique encounter)?

The Campaigner Paul—who had a lengthy list of credentials—said: "If I must avowal, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (2 Corinthians 11:xxx). Why?

Our weakness, when given to God, gives Him an opportunity to fill usa with His power. God was education Jacob to rely on Him instead of relying solely on his smarts and energy. Henry Morris (The Genesis Record) writes: "He [Jacob] must know fully his own weakness, only even more he must know the power of God and his right to claim that power."

I retrieve God was instruction Jacob to look at the big picture, instead of focusing so much on his stressful situation of coming together Esau again. There was more at stake here. God had an important mission for Jacob. For the Messiah would come through his descendants.

Was Jacob's wrestling opponent a man, an angel, or God?

Angels often appeared in the course of men in those days. The passage from Hosea 12:3-five also indicates that Jacob "had power over the angel, and prevailed." Yet, according to Jacob, this was no ordinary angel: "Because I saw God face to confront, and yet my life was spared," (vs. 30). So Jacob names the place Peniel, which ways "face of God".

But how could Jacob touch (and see) God's face and still live?

Morris writes: "This would accept been utterly impossible, had non God veiled Himself in homo form (Exodus 33:20; 1 Timothy vi:16).

If the man was God, why does verse 25 say He couldn't overpower Jacob (vs. 25)?

Morris explains: "This, of course, does not suggest that God was weaker than Jacob, but does prove that God desires men to persist in prayer and that He delights to yield to such prayers. . . . In that location is such a matter every bit prevailing prayer, when the request conforms to the will and the word of God, (Luke 18:7; Luke eighteen:1). Jacob's experience symbolizes all such prayers."

What is the significance of God changing Jacob's proper noun to Israel?

God gave some Bible people new names to symbolize how God had changed their lives. In fact, Revelation 2:17 says: "To the one who is victorious, I volition requite some of the subconscious manna. I volition too give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known merely to the one who receives it."

These white stones are meaning considering they stand for new hearts that God has cleansed from sin. The new names given testify that God has accustomed and declared his children non guilty.

Israel means "he struggles with God". Jacob, the ambitious "heel-grabbing" deceiver had grown to one who struggles with God and overcomes. Morris also notes that Israel means "1 Who Fights Victoriously with God." It has as well been rendered "A Prince with God" and is translated in this verse, "as a prince hast thou power."

Reverberate

I honey that God answered Jacob'southward prayer in such a personal style: in the form of a real wrestling match! Jacob, who had formerly twisted situations and manipulated people probably never imagined that he would literally wrestle God (and learn some important lessons in the process!) God definitely knows how to get our individual attending. He longs for a personal relationship with each of the states (Revelation 3:xx).

God is even so in the business organisation of transforming lives. God initiates the change, only we must press on if nosotros desire to grow in Christ-like character.

I love that God can accept the weak and broken strands of our lives and weave them into something beautiful for His purpose. . . . Have a terrific week!