Genesis 32: Jacob Wrestles With God
While Jacob is traveling south, he is met by some angels and he calls the place Mahanaim. He wants to give Esau a heads-up that he is coming and so sends some messengers ahead to warn him but they return with the news that Esau and 400 armed men are headed his way. This alarms Jacob so that he divides his possessions and family into groups and sends gifts to Esau to console him. Remaining behind alone, Jacob encounters an angel and wrestles him and ends up being wounded by the angel. The angel is God who changes Jacob’s name to Israel. Jacob asks the angel's name who does not give it - as he expects Israel to know who He is. He then limps off the field of battle.
I believe the angels, who only Jacob can see, are meant to stop him from proceeding further as this is where God will have a physical set-to with Jacob.
Jacob makes some good logistical maneuvers and divides his people and animals into groups to deal with Esau and then leaves the results in God’s hands. This is a very reasonable strategy for me today; do what I can and then let God.
He then encounters God in the form of a man who wants a physical fight. I am not sure of the symbology of this encounter but Coffman makes an interesting supposition: Jacob prevails in the wrestling match by surrender, confession and pleading. ” Cling to the Lord, and never let go!” A wonderful visual.
