The WWWF--Bible-style
The heading for Genesis 32:22-32 in my Bible is Jacob wrestles with God. However, I really think it should be God wrestles with Jacob, as God is the one who comes when Jacob is all alone (v. 24). Now, I don’t know why God chose to wrestle with Jacob. Maybe it was that Jacob needed to be broken and reminded of God’s blessing for Him.
Now, I also don’t understand how Jacob is capable of “winning” a battle against God although that is the meaning of his name Israel. It says in verse 28b, “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won (NLT).” How can we win a battle against God when He is infinitely stronger and more powerful than we are? Maybe it is just an illusion that we can win any battle with God because He is ultimately in control. And I think that Jacob is aware of this as he said afterwards in verse 30b, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared (NLT).” So as much as we may wrestle with God, ultimately He has numbered our days, and we cannot change His will.
