And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 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. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 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.” 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. 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.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 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.
Comment: Jacob announced that he had seen God. The person whom he saw was a man. Did he see God as a man in bodily form or in a vision or dream? Was his wrestling physical or mental, seeking from God an answer? God gave Jacob a physical reminder of the tussle which apparently was visible to all his contacts and he limped presumably for the remainder of his life. God gave him a new name – Israel which replaced Jacob. Hopefully his ‘supplanting/deceiving’ nature was replaced by a ‘princely’ one!
Prayer: I cannot see You, O God, but please help me by faith to wrestle with Your reality and Truth and to come to know You more and more. Please.
As I read it! 