Knowing The Word: Genesis 32:22-32, The Pre-Incarnate Christ?

In this passage, Jacob fights for his life with an unidentified male figure. Supremely interested in obtaining blessings—he stole Esau’s from his father—Jacob demands one to end the encounter. Forced to divulge his name, which means “supplanter,” Jacob reveals his character and guilt. In uttering his name he admits he has cheated his brother. By changing his name, his opponent announces Jacob’s new character and destiny. Then Jacob declares that he has seen God face to face and has survived, leaving many to believe that Jacob has wrestled with the pre-incarnate Jesus.

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.

Father, I am blessed to see you in the face of Jesus and that in him I receive a new name: “child of God.” [Spend some time today thanking God that you are his child and reflect on what that means for how you live.]