2007-07-21 10:23:38 · 15 answers · asked by namso141 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jacob was anxious to make peace with his brother Esau, whom he had not seen for more than 20 years. To soften any lingering hatred his brother might still harbor, Jacob sent ahead of him costly gifts for Esau—hundreds of goats and sheep, and many camels, asses, and head of cattle. (Ge 32:3-21) Jacob had fled Canaan with practically nothing; now because of Jehovah’s blessing he was returning a wealthy man.
During the night that Jacob’s household crossed the Jabbok on the way S to meet Esau, Jacob had the most unusual experience of wrestling with an angel, and because of his perseverance his name was changed to Israel, meaning “Contender (Perseverer) With God; or, God Contends.” (Ge 32:22-28) Thereafter both names often appear in Hebrew poetic parallelisms. (Ps 14:7; 22:23; 78:5, 21, 71; 105:10, 23) In this struggle the angel touched the socket of Jacob’s thigh joint, and Jacob limped for the rest of his life—perhaps to teach him humility; a constant reminder not to be overly exalted because of his God-given prosperity or for having grappled with an angel. In commemoration of these momentous events Jacob called the place Peniel or Penuel.—Ge 32:25, 30-32.
Because of his perseverance in grappling with an angel, Jacob was told: “Your name will no longer be called Jacob but Israel [Contender (Perseverer) With God; or, God Contends], for you have contended with God and with men so that you at last prevailed.” (Ge 32:28)
2007-07-21 10:45:07 · answer #1 · answered by Patricia L 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A suitable passage someplace else interior the previous testomony (i won't be able to keep in mind the place off the best of my head) states that Jacob truthfully wrestled with an "angel", so Jacob wrestled with God by making use of proxy purely (as in, an angel represents God, so in case you combat God's messenger, then you are in result struggling with God). besides, the implication right it is that the angel intentionally enable Jacob win by making use of taking a dive. God did no longer want Jacob to get harm, very like whilst a human father "loses" a wrestling tournament to his 5 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous son. ----edit-- BTW, per the 1st poster who reported the adaptation between II Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21:a million (became it God OR devil that triggered David) why doesn’t all of us understand that it is not a contradiction, because of fact the previous testomony is crammed with examples of God ordering, or manipulating devil into doing God’s will? (a million Kings 22:6-28; interest 2:2-9). no one has yet given a logical clarification why it could’t be the two, because of fact the passage in a million Kings shows.
2016-11-10 01:55:24 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This story is a type of our own Christian experience. Many times people hear God's call in their life, but when confronted with Him they wrestle, trying to resist this calling. During Jacob's wrestling match the angel touched his thigh, and after the fight Jacob walked differently, indicating that after we have encountered God we leave different than when we came.
His name was changed as a sign of this change in his own life as a result of this wrestling match.
Many stories in the scripture have both literal and spiritual meanings just like this one.
2007-07-21 10:36:12 · answer #3 · answered by Daniel A: Zionist Pig 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Sages say Jacob wrestled with an angel. This was to represent how Gods people would suffer loses but emerge with even greater victories. The angel could not win caused Jacob cleaved to God. He got injured when he stopped focusing on God. If you seek you find the answers...no one here can answer any more....only Gods spirit can help you from here. Its amazing! Peace and Love to you
2014-07-13 12:56:26 · answer #4 · answered by Child of the Light 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jacob wrestling with the angel is symbolic of Jacob's inner struggle to trust God to protect Him. Esau, his brother who hated Jacob, was coming to meet him with 400 men (a small army). First, Jacob tried saving himself by his own plans (dividing his family into 2 groups and all). But then, while wrestling with the angel, he realized he needed God's help, so he demanded a blessing. From then on, you can see in his life a change towards serving God with his whole heart.
In the Bible, names had great significance. Jacob means "heel-grabber" or "deciever". He began his life trying to advance himself by deception. However, Israel means "beloved of God" or "God prevails". Jacob's name was changed by God because his life was changed.
Hope that answers your question! You can email me for more...
2007-07-21 10:34:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jacob Fights With God
2016-12-12 03:47:28 · answer #6 · answered by cerchia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was refusing to trust God, and he had been trying to manipulate people... His wrestling with an angel was meant to mark a change in that, and his changing his name from Jacob (which means "Trickster" to Israel which means "Wrestle with God") was meant to remind him of his past and to stop fighting God
2007-07-21 10:28:36 · answer #7 · answered by Ozymandius 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Jewish editors made this story about Jacob wrestling with god, because they are stupid. it's more dump to say it was an angel, because in the same faked bible, an angel can turn a whole city upside down. it's another demonstration how Jews, Christians, and hanbalist Muslims who believe in the faked bible, are very ignorant. as for changing his name, i think it was just a title to demonstrate his special bond with god. Israel includes gods name: ael or elah or Allah in different Semitic languages.
2007-07-21 10:51:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
He was wrestling with God about the path he would follow. He received, as Abraham did and as may we all, a new name.
Rev 2:17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
2007-07-21 10:42:15 · answer #9 · answered by Isolde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jacob was confronted with his acceptance from Esau and a lot of taught was going in his mind. He device several means how he can be accepted with his family and possessions by Esau. Nevertheless, all these strategies did not seem capable of solving the problem. It is when he wrestled a man until the break of the day and he was blessed that he had assurance of his prayer answered.
2014-10-20 23:35:42 · answer #10 · answered by Alaba Adebisi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋