Jacob Wrestles with an Angel of God

Reading Portion

Gen. ch.32

Lesson Content

1. Esau hated Jacob because on one occasion he deceived him and got his birthright; on another occasion, by deception, he received his father’s blessings (Gen.27:36). [Teachers may read Gen.27:1-41 also and briefly explain the reason for his hatred].

2. When Jacob was returning from his uncle’s house where he had gone and lived for a number of years for fear of Esau, he was informed that Esau, with four hundred men, was coming to meet him. He was greatly afraid (Gen.32:6,7).

3. Jacob prayed unto the Lord t o deliver him from the hand of his brother (Gen.32:11,12).

4. Jacob sent goats, ewes, rams, camels, bulls and asses as presents to Esau to appease him (Gen. 32:13-15).

5. After sending his wives and sons across the brook Jabbok, Jacob was alone. There he wrestled with the angel of God (Gen.32:22-24).

6. When the angel could not prevail over him he touched the hollow of his thigh and it went out of joint (Gen.32:25).

7. When the angel asked Jacob to let him go, he replied, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me”. The angel then blessed him by changing his name from Jacob to Israel. Israel means ‘A prince of God’ (Gen.32:26-29).

8. Jacob wrestling with the angel shows striving in prayer.

Moral

Jacob held fast to God, wrestled in prayer and received blessings; even so we should pray earnestly in the presence of God and receive blessings from Him.