Jacob wrestling with God?

[Sheeniac]

All,

I am taking an intro Scripture course through my diocese, and one of the questions asks us for our interpretation of the meaning behind Jacob wrestling with God and how it comes to be lived out, either in the history of Israel, past and present, or in my own life.

I usually prefer to answer things on a personal level where possible, but I’m just curious as to how people interpret it. That’s one story that has always left me puzzled.

The corresponding Collegeville commentary talks about him beinng altered by the experience - becoming a good person, and reveals in his life the struggle of Isreal as living as a people of God.

Well, that sounds good, but it still isn’t hitting a chord with me. I sense there’s something more to it - rather than struggling with God and becoming more holy.

Any personal insights as to what the story means to you?

Thanks, Juli

 

[thistle]

All,

I am taking an intro Scripture course through my diocese, and one of the questions asks us for our interpretation of the meaning behind Jacob wrestling with God and how it comes to be lived out, either in the history of Israel, past and present, or in my own life.

I usually prefer to answer things on a personal level where possible, but I’m just curious as to how people interpret it. That’s one story that has always left me puzzled.

The corresponding Collegeville commentary talks about him beinng altered by the experience - becoming a good person, and reveals in his life the struggle of Isreal as living as a people of God.

Well, that sounds good, but it still isn’t hitting a chord with me. I sense there’s something more to it - rather than struggling with God and becoming more holy.

Any personal insights as to what the story means to you?

Thanks, Juli

He did not wrestle with God. He wrestled with an angel.

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 24. A man, &c. This was an angel in human shape, as we learn from Osee xii. 4. He is called God, ver. 28 and 30, because he represented the person of the Son of God. This wrestling, in which Jacob, assisted by God, was a match for an angel, was so ordered, (Ver. 28.) that he might learn by this experiment of the divine assistance, that neither Esau, nor any other man, should have power to hurt him. It was also spiritual, as appeareth by his earnest prayer, urging, and at last obtaining the angel’s blessing. (Challoner) — The father will not refuse a good gift to those who ask him with fervour and humility. Jacob had before set us an excellent pattern how to pray, placing his confidence in God, and distrusting himself, ver. 9, &c. (Haydock) — It is not certain, whether Jacob remained alone on the northern or on the southern banks of Jaboc. (Calmet)

 

[NotWorthy]

I find it odd that Jacob has a vision of heaven when he leaves Canaan, what we call “Jacob’s Ladder”, where he sees the angels going up and down the ladder to do God’s bidding. And then Jacob encounters God (or an angel of God) as he prepares to enter into Canaan.

My thoughts on this is that, in the first vision, Jacob says, “*If God is with me… **then *He will be my God”. Jacob’s not sold on this whole Salvation History deal, yet.

But after struggling with the angel, 21 years later, Jacob shows that he has gained wisdom and knowledge of God.