What is the significance of Jacob wrestling with an angel?

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I don’t think it is relevant whether to be taken literal or otherwise. The first priority in reading scripture is to benefit our salvation.

There are many lessons that could be gained from this passage. Have you read some commentaries or what the Church Fathers have written about this passage?
 
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)

Ver. 25. Sinew, near the coxendix, or huckel-bone. (Du Hamel) — This was to convince Jacob, how easily he could have gained the victory over him; and to make him remember, that it was not simply a vision, but a real wrestling. (Tirinus)

Ver. 28. Israel. This name was more honourable, and that by which his posterity were afterwards known; being called Israelites, and not Jacobites. God ratifies the title, chap. xxxv. 10. It means a prince of God, (St. Jerome, q. Heb.; Calmet) or one standing upright, and contending victoriously with God, rectus Dei, yisrael. (Haydock) — Many have expounded it, a man seeing God; aiss-rae-al. (Philo, &c.)
 
The meaning I am guessing is - angel let him fight without imposing all His immortal powers and morality to defeat Jacob? If a fallen former angel can defeat us in temptation I imagine a Holy Angel would just smack us without us having any saying based on our sins. So I imagine this battle as a sign of respect and encouragement from the Angel, who I do not see here as a fallen one.
 
All good points, pianistclare! Without taking literal text or context into account, or being so profound, I always like to think of this passage in terms of an individual’s wrestling with his own better angel(s) or conscience concerning proper moral behavior despite the world’s pulling him in the other direction. I also think this may apply as a forewarning to the nation of Israel, commanded by G-d to maintain a moral position regardless of what “others” (other nations, Israel’s own political leaders, the lure of riches, power, prestige and land) may be calling her to do.
 
I don’t think morality even needs to be part of it. Wrestling with God as we cope with and struggle with the many challenges of life (and aging) is quite enough.
 
Happy New Year friend. We’ve missed you on these boards. 😎
 
When looking at commentaries, don’t settle on one theologians view…I would say look at Church Fathers have to say, Doctors of the Church, the CCC, the patristics, church documents before hanging by hat on Fr.Rohr alone.
 
I just read a Jewish commentary which suggested that Jacob was wrestling with Esau’s guardian angel. I don’t recall the rest of that commentary except for that tidbit of speculation. Me: maybe that battle was to prepare Jacob to get ready for the main event, when he encountered Esau. Maybe it represents the spiritual battle that Jacob faced in going back to meet his brother.
 
Thanks so much, Clare, and the same to you and your family.
 
Indeed. At the same time, Jewish interpretation of such passages are often multidimensional, multi-layered, both literal and allegorical.
 
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