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Sorry for asking a question kid in my Catechism class asked, but I didn't know the answer and she is an expert level 7th grader.

  • Why did God wrestle with Jacob if they're both good?

  • Was God actually trying to kill Jacob?

  • Was there some reason Jacob needed to be injured and was he seriously injured?

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To try to pin him! – Richard Oct 13 '11 at 14:49
7  
Don't be sorry. Kids ask some of the most difficult Biblical questions, because they're (usually) sincere questions. Wait until she asks you "Who did Cain and Abel marry?" – Gilbert Le Blanc Oct 13 '11 at 15:01

4 Answers

up vote 14 down vote accepted

The short answer is "To teach Jacob an important lesson."

This all takes place, of course, in Genesis 32.

First, to your first question: Jacob wasn't "good" by any means. If you look at Jacob before this, he has stolen the blessing that was Esau's birthright. (Genesis 27). He had several children with women he didn't love, and was certainly no great father to them. (Genesis 30-31).

By the time he wrestled with this angel (or with God depending on the translation - I'm going to stick with God) in chapter 32 starting in verse 24, he'd pretty much shown that he was not a "good" man at all.

Yet, God chose him to the the father of the nation of Israel.

To the second question: was God trying to kill Jacob? In the wrestling match, Jacob wrestles with God until daybreak (verse 24). Then God touches the hollow of Jacob's thigh and dislocates it, demonstrating that He could have easily defeated Jacob at any time. This was a lesson in humility - showing Jacob that compared to God, he was nothing.

That also answers the third question. Jacob was injured - he was disabled by a mere touch, to show that God is powerful and compared to God, he is nothing. Whether he was "seriously injured" depends on whether or not you consider a dislocated hip "seriously injured".

Yet, knowing full well that he was nothing, Jacob did something brave and remarkable. He refused to give up until God gave him a blessing. He continued to fight, but now it was for God, not against God.

I believe that the reason for the encounter was to ensure that Jacob, who became Israel afterward, had the correct motivation, heart, and attitude toward God. it was a lesson in humility, and Jacob responded by a show of faith and longing for God.

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Good answer, mostly. But Jacob certainly did not steal Esau's birthright. The birthright, the right of preeminence in the covenant God had made with Abraham, was sacred, but it meant so little to Esau that he was willing to trade it for a hot meal. If you read Esau's actual words, they come across as the words of a whiny child: "I want food now! I'm starving!" Jacob was righteous enough to appreciate its value. He only had to resort to guile to obtain the actual blessing because he knew Esau would go back on his promise and try to kill him for it, which almost happened. – Mason Wheeler♦ Oct 13 '11 at 16:15
But what was "the important lesson?" can you give a specific reference as towards GOD saying exactly why he wrestled Jacob? – jchaffee Oct 13 '11 at 17:13
@Mason Wheeler that is an important correction! Thank you! – David Stratton Oct 13 '11 at 23:26
@jchaffe - No I can't. And I can't know for certain what God's reasons are. My answer is based on a study of scripture as a whole, and an application of doctrinal principles. Specifically understanding scriptural principles that are not spelled out based on what it says as a whole. God reveals Himself to us for various reasons, including (but not limited to) to bring Him glory, that we might know Him, that we might understand our relationship with Him, and that we may be molded by Him. I believe that Jacob's experience here was a lesson in all of those. But I do see your point. – David Stratton Oct 13 '11 at 23:29
up vote 3 down vote

I am sorry to say it, but we don't know why GOD chose to wrestle Jacob. Maybe Jacob needed to wrestle GOD, maybe it was a dream, symbolic of all humanity, the Scriptures leave the event open to a lot of interpretation.

But that is completely due to Genesis not giving us a reason for GOD wrestling Jacob, I know this may not be the answer you were looking for but the fact is that we don't know why, and that is the honest truth. I would give a biblical reference, but I don't know how to give a reference for something that is not in the Bible.

Rather than to step out on a limb and say something speculative rather than factual, I would have to say to rest in the mystery of it like thousands of years of Jews and Christians have. Perhaps we are simply meant to wrestle with the mystery of GOD in this event recorded in Scripture.

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While I don't disagree with this conclusion, could you possibly add some external references or scripture to support this? As it is, it's pure speculation, which isn't a strong answer. – Richard Oct 13 '11 at 14:51
Maimonedes wrote that this episode took place in a dream; Ramban countered: "But if this be the case, I do not know why Jacob limped on his thigh when he awoke!" (talking about Gen. 32:31). If there's dispute about whether it was dream or reality, there certainly isn't much agreement about what it might mean, among the many options. – James T Oct 13 '11 at 16:03
How do I give a reference for something that is not in the Bible (that Scripture gives no reason why GOD wrestled with Jacob)? To say that something is not in the Bible is not speculation. – jchaffee Oct 13 '11 at 17:11
up vote 0 down vote

It is very curious that Jesus Himself appears to Jacob. What was His motivation? Why did He show up? Jesus doesn't just decide "I'm going to Earth today to see what's going on down there"... he has purpose.

My thought is maybe God came to bless Jacob- to tell Him he was Israel, and no longer Jacob. But Jacob, being one who always wanted to figure things out for himself and "get his", saw yet another opportunity to take a blessing and jumped on it... literally!

I've done this before... tried to wrestle God. I lift my hands higher in worship, pray louder/harder (as if God in Heaven can't hear me), strive for His blessing and work my tail off to get it.

Jesus died so we didn't have to do that anymore. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. His blessing is not to be fought for... Jesus already did the fighting, now we rest in His finished work. Jacob received His blessing, but i'm convinced he would have received it without a hurt hip had he just stayed where he was. I imagine had he asked God "Why are you here?", God may have responded "To bless you!"...

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up vote 0 down vote

It's a known fact that Jacob wont take no for anything in his entire life. Yes! He had been blessed. But he knows a place of personal encounter,generally Abraham's seed are blessed;but he knows the place of personal encounter.

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Welcome to C.SE. I invite you to our FAQ. I'm not really sure I see how this exactly answers the question, though. – Affable Geek 17 hours ago
Welcome to the site. We warmly welcome new comer's participation. This answer, however, is very light, in both details and sources. There is just not enough here to make it a good answer. Please see the faq and about pages to see what the site is all about. You can easily edit this answer and make it better. – fredsbend 17 hours ago

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