Genesis 32

Genesis 32

Starts off with Jacob leaving the mountains going back to his kin after staying with Laban. He sends messengers to his brother Esau.

3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now: 5 and I have oxen, and asses, and flocks, and men-servants, and maid-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in thy sight.

This is the first example of the art of sucking up or eating crow... If you remember Jacob stole Esau's blessing from their father Isaac and thus Esau was a bit mad. This was the reason Jacob departed their lands and went to visit Laban.  Now Jacob is coming home and is trying desperately to buy his brother's favor.

6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and moreover he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed: and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two companies; 8 and he said, if Esau come to the one company, and smite it then the company which is left shall escape.

Now Jacob trembles because of what he fears his brother greatly.  Jacob has been commanded to go home and here he begins to doubt and starts praying and struggling with himself and god.  So he begins sending Esau gifts in droves that pass before Jacob and each is to tell Esau that the gifts are from his servant Jacob (thus begins the full eating crow for Jacob).

In verses 22 and on Jacob begins wrestling with himself, physically, all the way through daybreak. He touches the hollow of his thigh and his thigh was strained.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? and he said Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou has striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed.