Jacob wrestles with God: Chapter 32 Bible Study 

Introduction 

Hello and welcome to the Daily Manna! 

Today we take a deep dive into Genesis chapter 32 where pressure begins to weigh Jacob down as he shows both maturity in faith and struggles with his old ways of deception and manipulation. Here we will see Jacob try to pacify the anticipated wrath of his brother. We also see Jacob wrestle with God for his blessing along with a new name from God. Can you see your reflection in this chapter? 

Please read chapter 32 before we go any further in the Bible study as this is meant as a companion and not a substitute for reading your Bible. 

Summary of Genesis chapter 32

Verses 1- 5 the angels of God meet Jacob so he names the place Mahaniam. He then sends messengers ahead to his brother Esau to tell him that his servant Jacob is back with good and livestock in hopes that Esau finds favor. 

Verses 6- 12 Jacob learns that Esau plans to come to him. Jacob in fear splits his goods and family in two in case Esau attacks. He then prays to God reminding God of his obedience to God and asking for protection out of fear. 

Verses 13 -21 Jacob camps there and selects gifts for Esau out of his life stock in hopes that he will pacify his brother if there is wrath. He sent a few groups of servants with each set of gifts to give his brother. 

Verses 22-32. Jacob wrestles with God until daylight. God touches Jacob's hip. Jacob refuses to let God go until he receives his blessing. God names him Israel because he has struggled with God and with humans and has overcome. Then he blessed him. Jacob limped because of his hip the rest of his days. 

Key Themes and Meanings 

In preparation for Esau 

This chapter starts when two angels from God meet Jacob. This shows the intention by God that Jacob was allowed to see. It was assigned to him to show him that God was here even though Jacob was afraid. 

We then see Jacobson's messengers ahead of him to his brother. He instructs them to tell his brother what has come of him and the gifts he has for Esau so that he may have favor in his brother's eyes. 

When the Messengers return to Jacob they reveal to him that his brother is now coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob is now in great fear and distress expecting for his brother's wrath. In fear Jacob divides up everything he has into two groups thinking that if Esau attacks one at least he'll have the other to escape. 

Jacob, the old and the new

At the start of this chapter Jacob shows great maturity by prayer and humility. We can see this in the prayer that he makes here: 

Genesis 32:9-12 NIV

[9] Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ [10] I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. [11] Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. [12] But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ ”

https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.32.9-12.NIV

I'd like to point out here that he knew the promises of God from his forefathers but he was still afraid. As we all would be because we're only human. In his prayer he reminds God of his obedience. God is always willing to take responsibility. He just wants us to humble ourselves by handing it to him and trusting him. Faith means to be strong in God. 

From here we see Jacob reverting back to his old self. He selects gifts for his brother and puts them in the care of his servants and has them all go ahead of him. Hand strikes each one of them to go to his brother Esau to present the livestock as gifts in hopes that this will pacify him. This was out of fear and a sort of manipulation. 

This is symbolic of our spiritual walk with Jesus. A lot of the time even after salvation we can slip up and revert. Every one of us does. However we are not supposed to doubt our salvation when we slip into our own ways like the example we see in 32: 20-21. Instead go back to Jesus because he is full of grace and forgiveness. 

Wrestling with God

Genesis 32:24-30 NIV

[24] So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. [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. [26] Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” [27] The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. [28] Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” [29] Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. [30] So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.32.24-30.NIV

This is a very powerful and symbolic section. Here we see Jacob wrestling with God until daybreak. When God saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with God.

This doesn't mean that Jacob was so powerful that he overpowered God. God could have prevailed but just like Jacob he lets us wrestle with him. And just like Jacob, God will touch the socket of our hips and leave us limping for the rest of our lives. 

One way to think of this is with breaking a horse. Horses are very stubborn and to train them you need to break them into submission. We, like horses, are very stubborn and have our own wills. We don't want to listen and we don't want to do what we're told. That's where the wrestling with God comes in. And he will leave us broken in a way that allows obedience and trust in God. Full surrender. 

 Then God said “let me go for it is day break.”. But Jacob replied “I will not let you go until you bless me.”. This shows the new Jacob refusing to let go of God. He's made up his mind that he will never live his life without God. 

Sometimes a picture of us wrestling with God could be us wrestling with his word or his plans or even trusting in him.

Every one of us has wrestled with God at one point in our life. 

Reflections for today 

Where in your life have you allowed fear in and tried to take a situation into your own hands? 

Do you ever find yourself remembering the plans God has for you but still falling into fear? 

What do you think is the limp God has given you for the rest of your life to make sure you follow him? 

Conclusion 

Even though we wrestle with God by reverting here and there. We can also see ourselves slowly maturing in faith once we put our faith in Jesus. Fear can be a really debilitating thing, however if we can humble ourselves and ask for God's help he is always more than willing to take responsibility for us. Faith always makes us stronger in God. Most of our lives are spent in wrestling with God in one form or another. However ultimately we need to know it is in God's hands and not in our strength or our wisdom. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to release the fears and worries to you instead of taking them upon myself to fix. You are always faithful and good. Amen