24 “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a Man with 25 him until the breaking of the day. And when He saw that He prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was strained, as he wrestled 26 with Him. And He said, Let Me go, for the day breaketh. 27 And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me. And 28 he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast 29 prevailed. And Jacob asked Him, and said, Tell me, I pray Thee, Thy name. And He said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after My name? And He blessed him there. And 30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, said he, I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
Golden Text.—“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What was the occasion of Jacob’s being left alone? What trouble came upon him at that time? Verse 24. Note 1. (2) How did the Angel at last manifest His wonderful power? Verse 25. Note 2. (3) Then what did the Angel say? What was Jacob’s reply? Verse 26. Note 3. (4) What question did the Angel ask? What was Jacob’s answer? What is the meaning of the name Jacob? Verse 27. Note 4. (5) Then what did the Angel say should be Jacob’s name thereafter? Why? Verse 28. Note 5. (6) What did Jacob then ask of the Angel? What was the Angel’s answer? After making this reply, what favor was bestowed upon Jacob? Verse 29. Note 6. (7) What name did Jacob give to that place? Why? Verse 30.
NOTES.
1. Jacob’s Dilemma.—The events of Jacob’s life intervening between the last lesson and the occasion now under consideration cover a space of about twenty-one years. Jacob had been to the country of Padan-aram, and was returning to the land of Canaan. He had gone out alone and empty-handed; he was returning with a large family, a number of servants, and large flocks and herds. He had sent a friendly message to his brother Esau at Mount Seir, announcing his return. In response he had only heard that Esau was coming against him with four hundred men. To Jacob this was an omen of vengeance. He did what he could to avert the coming storm. He sent forward valuable presents from his herds, disposed of his people in a way that he hoped would at least spare some of them if the gifts did not avert the threatened attack, and then went alone in the night to seek God in prayer for deliverance. As he earnestly sought divine help, a strong hand was laid upon him. He at first supposed that an enemy sought his life, and wrestled with all his might until break of day.
2. The wonderful effect of a mere touch convinced Jacob that he was struggling with a more than human antagonist. He had to reckon with a mightier power than even Esau’s four hundred men. He had to make peace with the Angel of the covenant before he could be reconciled to his angry brother.
3. The patriarch was now disabled, and suffering the keenest pain, but he would not loosen his hold. All penitent and broken, he clung to the Angel; “he wept, and made supplication” (Hosea 12:4), pleading for a blessing. He must have the assurance that his sin was pardoned. Physical pain was not sufficient to divert his mind from this object. His determination grew stronger, his faith more earnest and persevering, until the very last. The Angel tried to release Himself; He urged, “Let Me go, for the day breaketh;” but Jacob answered, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Had this been a boastful, presumptuous confidence, Jacob would have been instantly destroyed; but his was the assurance of one who confesses his own unworthiness, yet trusts the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God.—Patriarchs and Prophets.
4. The name Jacob means “supplanter.” Esau had said of him, “Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing.” Gen. 27:36.
5. The name Israel means “prevailer with God,” or “a prince of God.” “He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God. Yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed.” Hosea 12:3, 4.
6. The Name of the Angel was not spoken to Jacob. The reply was somewhat similar to the answer given to Manoah, Samson’s father (Judges 13:17, 18), when he asked a like question. But Jacob evidently understood who his antagonist and benefactor was, as indicated in the name he gave to the place—Peniel, meaning the “face of God.”
