Jacob then named the place Peniel, “For I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.”
Genesis 32:30
As much as many of us might love the nostalgia and warmth of Christmas time, the season can also be a time of real battle. In order to get to Christmas Day and the happy family times, it can be chaotic to prepare. The constant onslaught of everything cheery can itself be wearying. Memories and emotions are heightened, both good and bad, which can be hard to navigate and process. It can feel like an incredible emotional and spiritual wrestle.
In Genesis 32, we read an incredible statement that Jacob saw God face to face.
At this time, Jacob was worrying about seeing his brother Esau again. The last time they had been together, Esau was raging and wanted to kill Jacob, because Jacob had deceived their Dad, to steal a blessing intended for Esau. In fact, messengers told Jacob that Esau was on his way with an army of 400 men.
Jacob made plans for his return, plans that included a huge gift for his brother as well as strategic measures in case Esau attacked.
Alone after sending his family, workers and animals ahead, Jacob was met by a man who wrestled with him all night. This wrestle turned into a stalemate; they couldn’t be separated. The man dislocated Jacob’s hip, but Jacob clung on to him for dear life. Jacob couldn’t win, but he didn’t want to lose, so he pleaded that the man would bless him.
The man did bless Jacob, and gave him a new name:
“It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”
Genesis 32:28
In a sense, Jacob had been wrestling with people all his days. Ever since he and his twin Esau were in their Mum’s womb, his relationships had been difficult. After this encounter, Jacob realised it was the Lord alone who would provide blessing. He would no longer need to fight for the upper hand with people.
“I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.”
Genesis 32:30
Years later, Moses was told that man could not see God’s face and live. The Lord’s holy, majestic glory is too much for sinful man to behold. And yet, Jacob says he saw God face to face, a picture of close personal encounter.
It’s possible that Jacob was alone and praying desperately when this man came to wrestle him. He started the night fearful and anxious, but through wrestling with God he was changed, and had a new resolve to go forward to meet his brother. As it goes, that meeting went much better than expected.
We might not physically wrestle with God today, but it is good to wrestle with God spiritually. Whatever emotions we are feeling, whatever circumstances we are facing, we can bring them to the Lord in prayer.
When we bring ourselves and our lives to the Lord in prayer, when we listen to his voice through his word, and when we humbly depend on him alone for blessing, we will meet God ‘face to face’ in Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel, God with us. He meets us by his Spirit, through his Word, and when we wrestle with him in prayer, we will be changed.
We too are given new names when we first believe: ‘Christian.’
We too will be left with a limp: the old self, and the wounds and scars of sin.
We too can say: ‘I have seen God face to face…’
Rejoice!
Written by Pete Bell
A thought to remember: It is often a wrestle to walk with Emmanuel
A bit more to read: Genesis 32:24-32
A question to ask: How might you need to wrestle to walk with Emmanuel today?
A song to sing: Look Again