JACOB WRESTLES WITH AN ANGEL
Although twenty years had passed since Jacob's flight from Canaan, he never forgot his fear of his brother Esau whom he had tricked and took his blessing from their father Isaac. What if Esau never forgave him? What if Esau wanted to kill him?
God knew about Jacob's fear and sent a company of angels to meet him. That gave Jacob courage. He sent messengers to tell Esau of his coming, If Esau didn't welcome him home, Jacob could not be happy in Canaan.
But Esau no longer lived in Canaan. With his family he had moved to the country of Edom, south and east of the Dead Sea. There the messengers told him of Jacob's coming. He said he would come to meet Jacob and bring four hundred men with him.
Jacob was terribly afraid. He thought Esau planned to kill him and his wives and children. He quickly divided his company into two groups. If Esau.attacked one group the other would be safe. Jacob asked God to protect him. In the morning he sent sheep and oxen# camels and other animals to his brother. How much Jacob wanted to please!
That night a strange man wrestled with Jacob. At dawn Jacob saw he had been wrestling with an angel of God. The angel said? "Let me go, for the day is breaking."
Jacob answered, "I will not let you go until you bless me."
The angel asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is Jacob," he answered.
The angel said, "You will be called Israel because you have power with God and man." Israel means,, "A prince of God."
Jacob called this place Peni'el, which means, "The face of God."
Jacob walked on with his company. When he looked up, he saw Esau coming to meet him. His heart pounded as he stepped forward to meet his brother. Jacob bowed himself to the ground. Esau threw his arms about him and kissed him. All was forgiven!
