Read the Passage: Genesis 32–33

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Genesis 32-33

Entering Canaan (32:1–21)

Recall that when Jacob left Canaan, he’d done so under questionable circumstances, and he’d only expected to be gone for “a few days” (Gen. 27:44). Now, 20 years later, Jacob was finally returning home. Jacob had a crisis with Laban behind him, and he surely was anticipating a crisis with Esau before him; thus, Jacob must have been ill-at-ease. Perhaps in light of his mental state, as Jacob neared the Promised Land, “the angels of God met him” (Gen. 32:1). This is reminiscent of the angels Jacob encountered as he departed from Canaan (cf. Gen. 28:12), and it recalls the fact that God had posted an angel to guard the way into Eden (cf. Gen. 3:24). Next, in Gen. 32:3–4 Jacob sent messengers to Esau to announce his return, with the implicit promise of shared wealth. It is perhaps understandable, then, that Jacob was alarmed when he learned of Esau’s looming approach with four hundred men.

On account of his fear and distress over Esau’s approach, Jacob took three action steps, one practical, one spiritual, and one financial. First, practically, Jacob divided his goods into two groups for the purpose of protection (cf. Gen. 32:7–8). Jacob’s thought was that if Esau captured one group, then the other group might escape. Second, spiritually, Jacob prayed to God for help (cf. Gen. 32:9–12). In his prayer Jacob reminded God that He was the one who had commanded, “Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you” (Gen. 32:9; cf. 31:3, 13). Third, financially, Jacob prepared a lavish gift for Esau consisting of 550 animals that Esau would have greatly prized (cf. Gen. 32:13–21). Jacob put these animals into separate droves and sent them toward Esau. The effect of these successive droves would have been continual and overwhelming blessings upon Esau (cf. Prov. 17:8; 18:16; 21:14).

Wrestling God (32:22–32)

Gen. 32:22–32 contains one of the more well-known narratives in the book of Genesis, as this passage records Jacob’s wresting with God. Observe that this event is familiar, not necessarily because it is understood, but on account of its uniqueness. In this passage, for an undisclosed reason, Jacob sent his family over the Jabbok River but stayed by himself alone on the other side of the brook. Suddenly, an unknown Man appeared and wrestled with 97-year-old Jacob throughout the evening. While the text does not immediately identify the Man, He is later referred to as God (cf. Gen. 32:28, 30) and the prophet Hosea indicates that it was the Angel of the Lord, who is the pre-incarnate Christ (cf. Hos. 12:3–4). During this lengthy wrestling event God touched and knocked Jacob’s hip out of joint. Yet, Jacob refused to let God depart from him until he received a blessing. This indicates that Jacob likely understood that He was wresting with God.

God’s response to Jacob’s plea for a blessing was to ask him his name (cf. Gen. 32:27). This was not because God was unaware of Jacob’s name; rather, the reason for God’s question was that God purposed to change Jacob’s name to Israel. Note that whereas Jacob means “deceiver,” Israel means “prince with God.” As had been the case when God had spoken with Abraham and Sarah about the covenant (cf. Gen. 17:5, 15), so here Jacob’s name was changed as he formally became the inheritor of the Abrahamic Covenant. At Gen. 32:30 Jacob also instituted a name change, as he identified the place where he’d struggled with God as Peniel, which means “face of God.” Observe the repeated pattern of trials and victory in Jacob’s life, as the larger narrative of Gen. 25–32 details how Jacob struggled with his brother Esau, his father Isaac, his father-in-law Laban, his four wives, and finally with God.

Meeting Esau (33:1–20)

Although Jacob had repeatedly received promises from God of divine protection, he was still afraid as Esau approached. Indeed, a fair question is whether Esau was afraid, as well as if he even knew what he’d do upon meeting Jacob. Esau’s approach caused Jacob to divide his two larger groups into four smaller parties, all for the purpose of protection. Yet, the meeting between Jacob and Esau was surprisingly joyful, not contentious. After embracing one another, Esau inquired about the identity of those who were traveling with Jacob. Furthermore, Esau asked Jacob to explain the lavish gift of animals he’d sent ahead to Esau. Note that Jacob compared viewing Esau’s face with seeing the face of God (cf. Gen. 33:10), which he had just done (cf. Gen. 32:30). Jacob then asked Esau for some leeway and favor as he established himself in the Promised Land, with a pledge of soon visiting Esau in Mount Seir.

Application Questions:

1. After departing on questionable terms, and being away for twenty years, what do you believe Jacob expected from Esau upon his return?
2. When he first learned of Jacob’s return, why did Esau approach with a party of four hundred men? Was Jacob’s response reasonable?
3. Was Jacob’s preparation to meet Esau reasonable? What can we learn from the fact that Jacob’s first step was practical not spiritual?
4. Why did Jacob wrestle with God upon nearing the land of Canaan? What is this narrative meant to communicate?
5. Why do you believe Jacob asked God to disclose His name in Gen. 32:29, and why did God not tell Jacob His name?