Bible Study Online Article

In the last couple of articles we learned that Jacob had just come out of a difficult ordeal with his father-in-law Laban - that had lasted twenty years. Next we find that Jacob would once again, have the privilege to meet with God's heavenly host of angels.

Now the Sacred Record doesn't go into what the angels had said to Jacob.

But Jacob would soon learn some bad news as he traveled closer to the land of Seir, which is the country of Edom.

This news dealt with him finding out that his older twin brother Esau had settled with the region he was headed towards.

Know that because of their turbulent history, this would cause Jacob to become very afraid.

Now keep in mind that the last time that Jacob was near his brother - Esau had vowed to kill him.

The reason why Esau was so angry with Jacob - dealt with the fact that Jacob along with his mother had tricked their father into giving him the "special blessing" and "birthright" that was meant to go to Esau. As far as we know, from up to this point, Esau never forgave Jacob for what he had done.

Be that as it may, this would turn out to be a new ordeal that Jacob was about to face, and it was for this reason Jacob would pray to the Most High God. He would ask the Lord to protect him from his brother's wrath. Next we find that Jacob would try his best to do all that he could, when it came to appeasing his brother. Jacob would do this by sending Esau gifts, that consisted of five-hundred and fifty animals, hoping that it would be enough to garner a peaceful meeting with his brother.

After Jacob had sent his servants ahead with his gifts, he decides later that night to allow his family to follow out behind the party of servants that he had sent out earlier in the day. This family group that Jacob had sent included: his two wives (Rachel & Leah), 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, which was 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. Now it's presumed that Jacob had continued to pray to God for help for most of the night. And because of this, God would hear and respond to Jacob's prayer during that same night. God would respond by sending an angel down to personally meet with Jacob.

Now it's not clear what the angel had said to Jacob - but it's presumed that Jacob wasn't satisfied with the message that the angel had brought. This is a viewpoint that comes into play when the angel had tried to leave from Jacob - but Jacob would engage the angel and would not let it go. Because of this Jacob began to wrestle with it, while refusing to let God's messenger go, without receiving an answer he would be satisfied with.

Now understand that Jacob would wrestle with this angel for the rest of the night and when daybreak had come, the angel suffered (yielded) himself and did not overpower Jacob.

Now it's at this point that we should take notice of something. First off, know that there was no way that Jacob could have had overpowered a divine creature like this angel, especially one such as this. Also keep in mind, that this was simply a test that Jacob had to endure, for it 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 the thought of meeting his brother Esau. So therefore, the angel allowed himself to be conquered.

In support of this viewpoint, read what happens next: "Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him." -- (Genesis 32:25) What we should have noticed from within this Scripture - is that with a single touch by the angel, Jacob's hip had been disabled. Know that this speaks of the true power and strength that the angel had possessed. For we also find that after this had happened, the angel told Jacob: "Let me go, for it is daybreak."

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?" Jacob would answer the angel and tell him what his name was. After hearing this, the angel responded by saying: "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and men and have overcome." -- Genesis 32:26-28

Now personally I find that names and their meanings are very important within the telling of the Holy Scriptures. Notice how this "recorded account" reveals that Jacob whose name meant - (Heel-catcher / Deceiver / Supplanter) is now changed to "Israel" which means - (a prince with God)

Now after the angel had blessed Jacob with a new name, Jacob wanted to know something about the angel: "Please tell me your name?" And after hearing this, the angel told Jacob as he departed: "Why do you ask my name?" Now notice how the angel didn't stick around to hear Jacob's response. For we must understand, that it did not matter what the angel name was, being that Jacob had wrestled with him until daybreak for a "special blessing" and not for the unveiling of his name.

Because of this, Jacob would call this place - "Peniel" which meant - (face of God): "It is because I saw God, face-to-face, and yet my life was spared." Jacob would declare. Keep in mind that Jacob did not actually see the face of God, but the face of the angel that he was wrestling with. Know that this is 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 Jacob he would limp off because of his disabled hip. Know that 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. Also understand that this is not done because of superstitious thought, but it's done to honor and show appreciation for the test that Jacob had endured and passed that night.

And it was because of this "test" - that the Sacred Record would be able to reveal to us the naming of a great nation that would be known from this point forward as "Israel." Now personally, I find this to be a great example when it comes to having faith with boldness. For we must learn to wrestle (stay persistent) with God (if we have to), when it comes to our daily prayer life. And we shouldn't stop praying until God answers us. And then guess what? We continue to stay persistent and pray some more - this time thanking Him for what He just did.

Jacob overcomes the angel of the Lord, but will this be enough to give him the confidence to face and overcome his brother Esau? And what will be Esau's reaction when he finally reunite with the brother, he had once - vowed to kill?

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

54) Jacob the Prosperous

55) Jacob departs from Laban

56) Rachel the Thief

57) Jacob's Mistake

58) Laban's Pursuit

59) The Friendship Covenant

60) The Host of Angels

61) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->

62) Jacob & Esau - The Reconciliation

63) Dinah the Daughter of Israel

64) The Plot of Vengeance

65) The Forgotten Vow

66) The Season of Passing

67) The Descendants of Esau

68) Joseph the Favorite Son