It was night, and Jacob was quite alone. He was on a long way with his family, but that night he wanted to think alone. Jacob had many thoughts in his head, for he was afraid of meeting his brother because they had quarreled a long time ago.
Jacob crossed a river and sat down there. Suddenly, a man came to him. This man was special because he was an angel from God. Jacob didn’t know exactly who the man was, but he began to wrestle with him. They held on tight and didn’t give up, all night long.
Jacob was strong, but the angel was stronger. The angel touched Jacob’s hip, and she hurt. Nevertheless, Jacob did not let go of the angel. The angel said, “Let me go, for the morning is coming!” But Jacob said, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”
The angel saw how courageous and determined Jacob was, and he blessed him. The angel gave Jacob a new name, Israel. This means “He who fights with God”. Jacob now knew that he had wrestled with an angel from God.
When the sun rose, Jacob limped because his hip still hurt. But Jacob was glad because he had received a blessing and knew that God was with him.
Message of history
God sees when we are courageous and do not give up. He is always with us, even when we are struggling.
Bible passage
The story of Jacob wrestling with the angel is found in Genesis 32:22-32. Here is the full text of this passage from the Schlachter 2000 translation:
“22 But that night he got up, and took his two wives, and his two maidservants, and his eleven sons, and went over the ford by Jabbok; 23 He took them and led them across the river, and let all that he had pass over. 24 But Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until the dawn broke. 25 And when he saw that he could not overcome him, he touched his socket, and Jacob’s socket was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he answered, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 Then he said to him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob! 28 He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men and you have won! 29 Then Jacob asked, “Let me know your name.” But he said, “Why do you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the place Pniel; for he said, “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been saved.” 31 And the sun rose for him as he passed by Pniel; and he limped because of his hip. 32 That is why the children of Israel do not eat the piece of muscle that is on the socket to this day, because he touched the socket of Jacob, the piece of muscle.”
