# 32:2 Mahanaim means “two camps.” And Jacob said when he saw them, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1-2). It is this scene of “wrestling” which has become, in the language of spiritual experience, the classical symbol for “agonizing” in prayer. on StudyLight.org 12:4 . Outline 1 Jacob's vision at Mahanaim 3 Jacob's message to Esau 26 When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that Jacob’s socket was dislocated as he wrestled with him. Pulpit Commentary. Verses 24-32 We have here the remarkable story of Jacob’s wrestling with the angel and prevailing, which is referred to, Hos. All Rights Reserved. He calls out to God for grace (favor). However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. The following post is a letter I wrote to a friend a couple of years ago. In Hebrew texts 32:1-32 is numbered 32:2-33. Some think that Jacob felt little or no pain from this hurt; it is probable be did not, for he did not so much as halt 'till the struggle was over, Genesis 32:31, and if so, that was an evidence of a divine touch indeed, which wounded and healed at the same time. It becomes those whom God honours, to admire his grace towards them. And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. It might serve to keep him from being lifted up with the abundance of the revelations. That section is probably the best word- picture of the price Jesus paid on the cross in Genesis. Yet before Jacob could be delivered from the hand of his brother, he had to be delivered from his own self-will and self-reliance. 12:3, 4 a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. Genesis 32:23-33. They met him to bid him welcome to Canaan again; a more honourable reception than ever any prince had that was met by the magistrates of a city. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. Jacob signifies a supplanter. 1 # 32:1 Verses 32:1-32 are numbered 32:2-33 in Hebrew text. There is something about this account which resonates with most readers. This exposition consisted of readings from Genesis 32. and Psalms 119:33-40. This is actually a re-post, but I am currently reading Genesis in my devotional time and wanted to share these insights with some who may not have read them when I initially posted them... Dear Allan, I've been meditating much this week on Genesis 32 and Jacob's wrestling with God. A lively sense of danger, and quickening fear arising from it, may be found united with humble confidence in God's power and promise. Jacob declares he has seen God's face and been allowed to live. 12:4 . In Genesis 32, Jacob faced that kind of crisis. The "angel" in question is referred to as "man" (אִישׁ) and "God" in Genesis, while Hosea references an "angel" (מַלְאָךְ).The account includes the renaming of Jacob as Israel (etymologized as "contends-with-God").. Genesis 33:1-11.KINDNESS OF JACOB AND ESAU. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Here, God has answered Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32:9-12. 1. behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men--Jacob having crossed the ford and ranged his wives and children in order--the dearest last, that they might be the least exposed to danger--awaited the expected interview.His faith was strengthened and his fears gone ( Psalms 27:3).Having had power to prevail with God, he was … Jacob's fear did not make him sink into despair, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. God answers prayers by teaching us to order our affairs aright. Verses 24-32 We have here the remarkable story of Jacob’s wrestling with the angel and prevailing, which is referred to, Hos. Jacob had lately seen his guards of angels, but in this distress he applied to God, not to them; he knew they were his fellow-servants, Revelation 22:9. He sees his need. Genesis Chapter 32-33 – John Karmelich 1. 12:2 Jabbok. Jacob didn’t know how Esau would receive him. 33 That is why, to this day, the Israelites do not eat the sciatic muscle that is on the hip socket, because he had struck Jacob’s hip socket at the sciatic muscle. Times of fear should be times of prayer: whatever causes fear, should drive us to our knees, to our God. 24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 24 Jakob het alleen daar agtergebly, en 'n man het tot dagbreek met hom gestoei. The Event (32:24b–25) The Blessing (32:26–28) The Evaluation (32:29–30) The Epilogue (32:31–32) Earlier in the day, Jacob had seen angelic messengers from God (32:1–2) and had sent his own messengers to Esau in hopes of finding a kinder, gentler Esau than the one from whom he had stolen his father’s blessing (v. 3–5). The man says that Jacob has fought with God and with men, and has prevailed (Genesis 32:26–30). Benjamin Is Born Genesis 35:16-20 with 7 illustrations. (32:1-2) Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him. And Jacob went on his way, and angels of God met him. (A) 27 The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” 28 “What is your name?” the man asked. The blessings which God promised Jacob were spiritual blessings, and spiritual blessings cannot be obtained through fleshly means. Verses 22-30 We shall read three short portions of Scripture, all illustrative of the great truth that God has sometimes given grace to his people to overcome himself, the Almighty has condescended to be vanquished by man. בוְיַֽעֲקֹ֖ב הָלַ֣ךְ לְדַרְכּ֑וֹ וַיִּפְגְּעוּ־ב֖וֹ מַלְאֲכֵ֥י אֱלֹהִֽים: and … Verse 4 describes the striving with God and is crucial to understanding Genesis 32. As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him. “He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor.” Jacob’s “striving” was a weeping and seeking of God’s favor. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. (Machbereth Menachem p. 160), however, associated it with ( II Sam. Genesis 32: 23-31. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. Here is a thankful acknowledgement of former undeserved favours; a humble confession of unworthiness; a plain statement of his fears and distress; a full reference of the whole affair to the Lord, and resting all his hopes on him. WRESTLING AT THE JABBOK: Genesis 32:22-32 (English) / 32:23-33 (Hebrew) Commentary: Home Biblical Text Historical Context Genre Structure The Jacob Stories Commentary Interpretations Reflections: ... 32:23 And he took them and sent them over the stream, and sent over his possessions. 1 Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. We must not refuse to speak respectfully, even to those unjustly angry with us. The cunning Jacob manages to wrest a blessing from the night stranger before he departs. Esau asks Jacob about all the company that came before, referring to Jacob's massive gift of goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys—550 animals in total. Then a man[a] wrestled with him until the break of dawn. (24-32). He calls it Peniel, the face of God, because there he had seen the appearance of God, and obtained the favour of God. Rape, Treachery, and Slaughter Genesis 34:1-34 with 32 illustrations. "And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at … Jacob gives a new name to the place. Having power with God, he shall have power with men too; he shall prevail, and gain Esau's favour. HE SENT THEM OVER THE STREAM. He is a prince indeed that is a prince with God; those are truly honourable that are mighty in prayer. 22 Die nag het hy opgestaan en sy twee vrouens en sy twee persoonlike slavinne en sy elf kinders gevat en deur Jabbokdrif gegaan. Very early in the morning, a great while before day, Jacob had helped his wives and his children over the river, and he desired to be private, and was left alone, that he might again more fully spread his cares and fears before God in prayer. When God designs his people for extra… 32:2 Mahanaim means two camps. Often this is due to man’s constant struggle to earn the blessing for himself rather than trusting God to provide it. He was returning to Canaan in obedience to God, but that meant he would have to face his brother, Esau, whom he had cheated 20 years before. They met him to congratulate his arrival, and his escape from Laban. 24 And Jacob was left alone. (1-8) Jacob's earnest prayer for deliverance, He prepares a present for Esau. Genesis 32 emphatically instructed Jacob that the Christian life is a spiritual warfare. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. From henceforth he shall be celebrated, not for craft and artful management, but for true valour. 12):“And the conspiracy (הַקֶּשֶׁר) was strong.” © 2021 Christianity.com. Jacob wrestling with the angel is described in Genesis (32:22–32; also referenced in Hosea 12:4). Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise), Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. As arranged before, Jacob would have introduced them in the order of preference, saving his favored wife and son for last (Genesis 33:5–7). Genesis 32:25, ESV: "When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him." Thou shalt be called Israel, a prince with God, a name greater than those of the great men of the earth. Prior to his birth, God predicted that Jacob would receive the promise (25:23), but Isaac intended to bless Esau even though J… 22 He rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two handmaids, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford of the Jabbok. 24 After he got them and brought them across the wadi and brought over what belonged to him, 25 Jacob was left there alone. (9-23) He wrestles with the Angel. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Holmgren, Fredrick C., "Holding Your Own Against God! The best we can say to God in prayer, is what he has said to us. A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. Genesis 32:25 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Genesis 32:25, NIV: "When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man." GENESIS 32:22-23. Then Laban left to return home. The sun rose on Jacob: it is sun-rise with that soul, which has had communion with God. Verse 26 Reuben's Incest Genesis 35:22 with 2 illustrations. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. An Angel opposed him when he attempted to cross the Jabbok. Jacob is a prime example of one who chooses to help God along rather than trusting God to keep his word. * [32:23–33] As Jacob crosses over to the land promised him, worried about the impending meeting with Esau, he encounters a mysterious adversary in the night with whom he wrestles until morning. There wrestled a man with him — The eternal Word, or Son of God, who often appeared in a human shape, before he assumed the human nature. Thus he made the name of the Lord his strong tower, and could not but be safe. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 23 Nadat hy hulle deur die rivier gevat het, het hy ook alles wat hy besit, laat deurgaan. Yielding pacifies great offences, Ecclesiastes 10:4. 23 That night, however, Jacob arose, took his two wives, with the two maidservants and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. And # Hos. At that point, Jacob has the encounter with God that constitutes our text (32:22-31). EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2010. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. He will have a blessing, and had rather have all his bone put out of joint than go away without one. Jacob sent a message, showing that he did not insist upon the birth-right. Biblical Commentary (Bible Study) Genesis 32:22-31 GENESIS 25-32: THE CONTEXT This is the story of Jacob's encounter with God while on a journey to see Esau after many years of estrangement (32:3-5). 31 Jacob named the place Peniel,[c] “because I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.”(C). I still believe that. When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. 32 At sunrise, as he left Penuel, Jacob limped along because of his hip. "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy … Let me go — Thus the angel, by an admirable condescension, speaks to Jacob as God did to Moses, Exodus 32:10, Let me alone, and that to show the prevalency of his prayer with God, and also to encourage him to persist in the conflict. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Genesis 32:2. The appearance of the angels in verses 1 and 2 sets the tone for the entire chapter. Genesis 32:26. Jacob's vision at Mahanaim, His fear of Esau. He is weeping. Genesis 32:23-32 New International Version (NIV). While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. At the beginning of Genesis 32, preceding the lectionary pericope, Jacob has heard that his brother Esau is coming to meet him, accompanied by four hundred men (32:6). The Angel puts a lasting mark of honour upon him, by changing his name. Verse 24. Genesis 32 Images and Notes Brief Summary: Jacob sees angels, Jacob asked the Lord to protect him from Esau, Jacob sends messengers with gifts, Jacob wrestles with the angel of the Lord all night, Jacob's name is changed to Israel, Jacob sees God face-to-face and names the place Peniel. 22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, # 32:22 Or sons and crossed the ford of the # Deut. This phrase captures so perfectly the brokenness of Jacob. Jacob’s response is to panic (32:7), because he assumes Esau is coming to attack him (32:8). For the day breaketh — Therefore he would not any longer detain Jacob, who had business to do, a family to look after, a journey to take. Jacob had lately seen his guards of angels, but in this distress he applied to God, not to them; he knew they were his fellow-servants, Revelation 22:9. If I had to pick my favorite section of Genesis in terms of personal application, this is it. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 15:31) :“Ahithophel is among the conspirators (בַּקּוֹשְׁרִים)” ; (ibid. New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE). 2 While Jacob was going on his way, angels of God encountered him, 3 and on seeing them he said, 'This is God's camp,' and he named the place Mahanaim. Genesis 32:22-32 (In the Cotext of Genesis 31-33)," Interpretation, 1990. Each person desires God’s blessing, but such blessings often are not apparent or easily grasped. Genesis 32:23-33 with 15 illustrations. Jacob was left alone — In some private place, that he might more freely and ardently pour out his soul in prayer, and again spread his cares and fears before God. Genesis 32.22-32 Commentary. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. The angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection. Jacob halted on his thigh. As the sun rises, he limps away to rejoin his family and meet his brother (Genesis 32:31–32). Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling. The man blesses Jacob and Jacob renames the place Peniel, meaning "face of God." Commentary on Genesis 32:9-23 (Read Genesis 32:9-23) Times of fear should be times of prayer: whatever causes fear, should drive us to our knees, to our God. Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau. Jacob received an account of Esau's warlike preparations against him, and was greatly afraid. Jacob kept his ground; though the struggle continued long, this did not shake his faith, nor silence his prayer. 23 He took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had. While Jacob, to whom the promise belonged, had been in hard service, Esau was become a prince. He answered, “Jacob.”(B) 29 Then the man said, “You shall no longer be named Jacob, but Israel,[b] because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” 30 Jacob then asked him, “Please tell me your name.” He answered, “Why do you ask for my name?” With that, he blessed him.