Peniel: Wrestling with God
The intriguing and fascinating story of Jacob wrestling with God at Peniel is one of the most mysterious and profound encounters in the Old Testament.
It’s found in Genesis 32:22-32, and this event marks a major turning point in Jacob’s life, transforming him from a coniving deceiver to a man blessed and renamed by God.
Through this story, we are also introduced to a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. After all, the wrestler could not have been God the Father who always appears wrapped in power and glory, and the Holy Spirit never appears in human form, so the only manifestation of the Trinity that fits the bill, is Jesus Christ himself! We will mention some other Christophanies in a moment.
We see Jacob at a crisis point in his life. He had fled from his home years earlier after deceiving his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27).
Now, returning home, he rightly feared Esau’s wrath, especially upon hearing that Esau was approaching with four hundred men (Genesis 32:6). In desperation, Jacob sent his family and possessions across the Jabbok River and remained alone, seeking God’s favor.
“This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break.” Genesis 32:24 (NLT)
The identity of this man is later revealed as divine, as Jacob himself declares, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” Genesis 32:30 (NLT)
The Struggle and the Blessing
The wrestling match lasted throughout the night, symbolizing the spiritual struggle Jacob had been undergoing his entire life—seeking blessings through deception and self-reliance rather than through faith.
Despite being a mere man, Jacob persisted, unwilling to let go. At dawn, the divine wrestler touched Jacob’s hip, dislocating it (Genesis 32:25). This simple touch demonstrated God’s power, showing that Jacob had not won by strength but because Jesus let him win! This is an astounding act of grace, Jesus was willing to humble himself so that the greater plan could be accomplished. Reminiscent of the Garden of Gethsemane?
Yet, Jacob clung to Him, refusing to release the man without receiving a blessing (Genesis 32:26). This moment signifies Jacob’s transformation—no longer scheming or deceiving but desperately dependent on God’s grace.
A New Name: Israel
In response to Jacob’s persistence, the man blessed him and changed his name to Israel, saying,
“From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won” (Genesis 32:28, NLT).
The name “Israel” can be translated as meaning “God fights” or “one who struggles with God.” This renaming signified Jacob’s new identity, no longer defined by deception but by a relationship with God. Israel’s descendants, the Israelites, would carry this name, marking their divine calling and struggles with faith throughout history.
Jacob named the place Peniel, meaning “Face of God,” saying,
“I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared” (Genesis 32:30, NLT).
This statement emphasizes the grace of God—though Jacob encountered the Almighty, he was not defeated and consumed. This mirrors other Christophanies where God appeared in human form and interacted with individuals, revealing His nature and purposes.
Jacob’s encounter is not the only Christophany in scripture. You might be interested in other notable appearances of God in human form including:
• Melchizedek and Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20): Melchizedek, the King of Salem and Priest of God Most High, blessed Abraham. Hebrews 7:3 describes Melchizedek as having no beginning or end, leading most scholars to identify him as a Christophany.
• The Lord and Abraham (Genesis 18): Three men visit Abraham, one of whom is called “the LORD.” That phrase “the LORD” is used throught the Old Testament to represent the four-letter, not-to-be-pronounced name of God, Yahweh. Abraham intercedes with “the LORD" for Sodom and Gomorrah, recognizing His divine authority.
• The Angel of the Lord and Hagar (Genesis 16:7-13): The Angel of the Lord finds Hagar in the wilderness, and she declares, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13, NLT).
• The Commander of the Lord’s Army and Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15): Joshua meets a divine warrior before the battle of Jericho. When Joshua worships Him, He does not refuse, also confirming His divine nature.The Graciousness of God
Jacob’s survival and blessing highlight God’s grace and goodness. Jacob’s past notwithstanding, God met him where he was, transforming him through a face-to-face divine encounter.
The very same God who allowed Jacob to wrestle and receive a blessing is the same One who meets us in our struggles, extending mercy and calling us to a new identity in Him.
The encounter at Peniel is more than just a physical struggle; it is a picture of our own spiritual wrestling with God. It reminds us that blessings come not by manipulation but by surrendering to His grace.
Jacob left Peniel with a limp, a constant reminder of his dependence on God. Likewise, we are transformed when we encounter God—not by our strength, but by His mercy.
As we wrestle with life’s challenges, may we cling to Him and find our identity in His promises, just as Jacob did at Peniel.
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study