Bible Study Online Article
In the last article, we learned that Jacob had just come out of a difficult ordeal, with his father-in-law Laban. Soon after this episode, Jacob would have the privilege of once again, to meet with God's heavenly host of angels. A short while later, Jacob gets some bad news as he travels closer to the land of Seir, which is the country of Edom. He finds out, that his twin brother Esau has settled there, in which Jacob becomes very afraid. For the last time that he was near his brother, Esau had vowed to kill him. Jacob would pray to the one true God, and asked Him basically for protection against his brother. Next he would try his best to do all that he could, when it came to appeasing his brother. The promise bearer would all together, send his brother around five-hundred and fifty animals as gifts, hoping that it would be enough to garner a peaceful meeting with him. After Jacob had sent his servants ahead with his gifts, he decides later that night, to send his family out behind the party of servants he sent out before them, earlier in the day. Jacob would send his two wives (Rachel & Leah) and two maidservants (Bilhah & Zilpah - who are also his wives), and his eleven sons along with his daughter Dinah. Jacob would help them to cross the river, that's called the "Ford of Jabbok." After they had crossed the river, Jacob would then send the rest of his possessions over to them, while he decides to spend the night at the campsite all alone. I'm assuming that Jacob had continued to pray to God for help and during the night, and because of his nightly devotion, God sends an angel down to meet with him. I'm also assuming that Jacob wasn't satisfied with the message that the angel had brought. Being that when the angel tried to leave, Jacob engaged the angel and began to wrestle with it, for he refused to let God's messenger go. He would wrestle with this angel all night, and when daybreak had come, the angel suffered (yielded) himself and did not overpower the promise bearer. Note: Understand this -- there is no way that Jacob could overpower a divine creature, especially one such as this. This was simply a test that Jacob was to endure, that was designed to strengthen his faith, and to give him a new found hope against the tremendous fear, that he had when it came to his brother Esau. So therefore, the angel allowed himself to be conquered. Toprove my point, read what happens next: So the angel touched the socket of Jacob's hip, which caused the promise bearer's hip to now be wrenched (disabled or disjointed). But Jacob would not give up and he continues to wrestle with the angel. Note: With a single touch by the angel, Jacob's hip is now disabled. This speaks of the true power and strength that the angel possessed. "Let me go, for it is daybreak." the angel insisted. But Jacob would not be denied: "I will not let you go unless you bless me." With the angel seeing that Jacob wasn't going to be deterred, he asked the question: "What is your name?" The promise bearer would answer the angel and tell him, that his name was Jacob. "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and men and have overcome." the angel would declare. Note: Names are very important within the telling of the scriptures. This is one of those accounts where we see Jacob whose name meant - (Heel-catcher - Deceiver - Supplanter) to now having the name Israel, which means - (a prince with God) "Please tell me your name?" Jacob had asked the angel. "Why do you ask my name?" the angel would say as he blessed him before leaving. Note: We must understand, that it did not matter what the angel name was, for Jacob had wrestled with him all night for a special blessing and not for the unveiling of his name. Because of this, Jacob would call this place - Peniel, which means - (face of God): "It is because I saw God, face-to-face, and yet my life was spared." Note: Jacob did not actually see the face of God, but the face of the angel that he was wrestling with (a big difference.) "No one has ever seen God, but God the one and only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known." (John 1:18) And as the sun rose above the promise bearer, he would limp off because of his hip. It's because of this great event, that the Israelites do not eat the sinew (tendon or muscle) attached to the socket of the animal's hip. Note: This is not done because of superstitious thought, but in honor and a type of memorial for the test that Jacob had endured and passed that night. For it was, because of this test at that moment in time, we can say we witness the naming of a great nation called Israel. This is a great example, when it comes to having faith with boldness. To fight and wrestle with God through your daily prayers and don't stop praying until God answers you. And then pray some more. Jacob overcomes the angel; will this be enough to give him the confidence to overcome his brother Esau? More on this thought in the next article.
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 56) Rachel the Thief 57) Jacob's Mistake 58) Laban's Pursuit 61) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 62) Jacob & Esau - The Reconciliation 63) Dinah the Daughter of Israel  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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