February 4

Jacob and Esau are twins that are favored by one of their parents. Jacob his favored by his mother, Rebekah, and Isaac favors Esau. Esau was born first so he has the birthright. Jacob convinces his brother to hand over his birthright to Jacob. This means that Jacob is now seen as the firstborn child. Jacob does this by denying Esau food and drink when he is famished from hunting. Esau ultimately gives in and hands over his birthright to him. Jacob also takes Esau’s blessing that was intended for him by Isaac. Jacob informed Esau to hunt and prepare a meal for him and after this he would bless Esau. Rebekah overheard their conversation and told Jacob to lie to his father and take Esau’s blessing. Jacob then receives his blessing. He will receive good crops, many nations, and reverence from others. He also renews Abraham’s blessing so the line of descent will follow him and all of his relatives including Esau will serve him.

No one wins the fight, but Jacob receives a blessing by the man afterwards. In that case, Jacob wins because he receives a gift while the other man receives nothing. The opponent refuses to tell his name and is confused why Jacob asks for his name. The man does say that Jacob’s name will be Israel since he, “struggled with God” implying that the man wrestling with Jacob was God himself. Jacob believes this truly was God because he names the land Peniel due to the fact that he, “saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared”. If the man was actually God or not we do not know. I think the man is a representation of Jacob’s inner battle. His confusion about meting his brother and trying to build up his courage to meet him.