Today, once again, we see Jacob on a journey directed by God. As he left Canaan, years ago, to go to his uncle’s household, he met with angels in a dream ascending and descending a ladder to Heaven (Gen 28:10-15). Now, as he is leaving his uncle’s household to return home, he is met again by angels (verses 1-2). He names this place Mahanaim, which means “Two Camps” since this is the second place he has met with angels. By this, he knows that God has been with Him.
Jacob had originally left Canaan because of the wrong he had done to his brother, Esau. Esau, being quite angry with Jacob, had decided to kill him. We see here, in verses 3-5, that Jacob decides to let Esau know he is coming rather than surprising him and he sends messengers ahead. He is trying to make peace. Jacob does not know, at this time, whether his father and mother are still alive yet or not. Esau may have come into full inheritance in his absence. And he does not know if his brother is still angry enough to want to kill him.
Read verses 6-8. The messengers return to Jacob and tell him that Esau is coming to meet him. But he is not coming alone. He is bringing 400 men with him. How would you react to that if you were Jacob? This does not sound like a peaceful greeting, by any means. Jacob’s gut reaction is to protect his family. He contrives a plan that will save at least some of them.
In verses 9-12, we see Jacob praying to God. This is his second thought, not his first. He depends on his own means first, but then God, second. How many of us are guilty of that also (Prov 3:5-6)? But as he prays, Jacob is humble before God, acknowledging that he does not deserve the good things that God has given him (verse 11), even though much of his prayer sounds as if he is reminding God that he is in this risky position only because he is obeying God’s direction. He knows he is a sinner and has brought Esau’s wrath upon himself but is still bargaining with God, begging for his family’s protection.
Read verses 13-21. In true Jacob fashion, there is a strategic plan. He sends gifts to Esau, in groups. With each successive group, Esau now has to manage his troops, along with all the livestock and people from Jacob’s household, making the task more and more cumbersome at each increment. And Jacob’s generosity becomes more and more apparent to Esau. Jacob sent five groups with gifts of livestock while he himself waits in the camp at Mahanaim.
In verses 22-26, we see that after sending these gifts to Esau, Jacob sends his family and possessions across the river. While he is alone, he wrestles with a man. Who is this man (verses 28 and 30)? The man’s inability to overpower Jacob was obviously not a physical inability. We see the ease with which He injures Jacob’s thigh/hip joint. We are looking here at Jacob’s unwillingness to yield spiritually. And, in verse 26, the man’s unwillingness to bless Jacob.
This image of a Deity preventing a man from crossing the river into a territory would have been a common image to men of Jacob’s time. It is something which would have been meaningful to Jacob. This was a spiritual struggle between him and his Creator and resulted in his finally yielding to the Lord. He asked for God’s blessing. What blessing did God give him (verses 27-28)? The new name, Israel, ends with ‘el’, which in Hebrew means ‘God’. Jacob’s name change reflects his struggle with God, a change in his character, and a change in his relationship with ‘El’. He has yielded himself to God.
Read verses 29-30. Jacob asks God His name. What does God reply? Why do you think God replies in this manner? And then God blesses him. And Jacob names the place ‘Peniel’ which means ‘face of God’. He has seen God face-to-face and has not died. In verses 31-32, the sun comes up and Jacob is limping because of his injury. And the Bible tells us that, for this reason, the Israelites do not eat the part where the thigh is attached to the hip, because that is where God touched Jacob.
Responding to God: Thank God for all His blessings and ask for His protection over you and your family. Yield yourself and your life to Him spiritually. Pray for His help in living in peace with others. Ask His forgiveness for those times when you have wrestled with Him over obedience.
Further Research: On the internet, search for Jacob and theophany.
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