Jacob Wrestles with God

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 32:22–30

Rev. David Schmidt

October 20, 2019


Genesis 32:22–30

Jacob Wrestles with God

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,1 and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 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. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,2 for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,3 saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

Footnotes

[1] 32:22 Or sons
[2] 32:28 Israel means He strives with God, or God strives
[3] 32:30 Peniel means the face of God

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