Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him.+GENESIS 33:1God Changes the HeartThe matters recounted in this chapter are clear and easy because they ...  Read More

"I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered."GENESIS 32:30+Face to Face with Our LordThis is the joyful climax of this contest. For now Jacob returns from hell to heaven, from de...  Read More

"Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.GENESIS 32:28+Pressed to God's HeartLet us compose a proverb from this history: w...  Read More

Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." . . . Then He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel."GENESIS 32:26, 28+In the Arena with GodEven if [God] hides Himself ...  Read More

Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me."GENESIS 32:26+God Can Be Conquered?[God] is not conquered in such a way that He is subjected to us, but His judgment, or His wrath and fury and ...  Read More

Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me."GENESIS 32:26+Do Not Yield, but Press OnWhy do you not let him go? Your thigh is hurt and you are already lame; what will you do? "I feel no wea...  Read More

A man wrestled with [Jacob] until the breaking of the day.GENESIS 32:24+God in Hostile FormThe chief significance of this story, then, is the example of perfect saints and of temptations in high degre...  Read More

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.GENESIS 32 : 24+Wrestling with GodOur opinion is this, that the wrestler is the Lord of glory, God Himself, or God's...  Read More

"Please deliver me from the hand of my brother."GENESIS 32:11+All Is Not LostSuch prayers, which are poured out in extreme despair and the greatest dangers, are very pleasing to God. These are the ine...  Read More

"I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that You have shown to Your servant."GENESIS 32:10+Three Conditions of PrayerOne must not pray . . . like the ...  Read More

"I am not worthy of all the mercies and all the truth which Thou hast shown to Thy servant." GENESIS 32:10 (according to Luther's translation)+Mercy and TruthThis phrase, however, is well-known: "Merc...  Read More

Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.GENESIS 32:7+Weakness Turned to StrengthWe have often said that when faith is weakest, it is strongest. So wonderful are the works of God. Isaiah says (60:22): ...  Read More