Jacob Wrestles God (Have you ever felt like this)

Introduction

            For the interpretive question this week I have chosen to explore who the "man" was that Jacob wrestled with in Genesis 32:24. There are two main approaches as to the identification of this "man". First you have those out there who believe that this "man" was special messenger of God(angel), empowered with the full authority of God. Second you have those who believe that the "man" was the preincarnate Christ. This essay will briefly explore both options and also identify which of the two views that this author most closely associates with as the identification of the "man" talked about in Genesis 32.

Davis Commentary:

 It appears in the text that Davis appears to be one of the ones who believes that this "man" is a special messenger sent from God empowered with Gods authority. Davis holds to this theory on the basis that in Hosea 12:4 seems to point to this identification of the "man" that Jacob wrestled with.[1] On initial look if you look at Hosea 12:4 you will see that Hosea does identify this person as an angel.

                        Jacob Struggled with the Angel and prevailed[2]

            If this is the basis for some believing that this person that Jacob struggled with is an Angel, then more investigation needs to be done than just one portion of the verse.

Bible Book Commentaries

            In this commentary I was able to find a supporter of the other theory that this person that Jacob wrestled was in fact the preincarnate Christ. This commentary makes some very strong arguments for the preincarnate Christ. First off, Jacob had been fighting God his whole life up until this point, one thing as Christians that we do know is that unless we make the decision to accept Christ we will continue to be in a battle with Him until we give in. This commentary explains that God finally took into His own hands the attitude adjustment that Jacob needed at this juncture in his life. Not that He forced Jacob to make the decision, because had that been the case it would not have gone on all night. Just that He encouraged Jacob by physically and spiritually fighting with Jacob all night long. The author of this commentary also points out that only God/Christ can do that which leads him to believe that this "man" was actually the second person in the trinity Jesus preincarnate.[3]

Mathew Henry

             This commentator once again points towards the preincarnate Christ as the identity of the "man" that Jacob wrestled with. This commentator though relates this wrestling match to prayer. This seems to be a logical conclusion for anyone who has ever prayed over something and did not like the answer that they received from Him. Henry states "Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. He will have a blessing, and had rather have all his bone put out of joint than go away without one."[4] This is a great illustration of just what Jacob might have been going through. Maybe not so much a physical struggle with a human being but a spiritual struggle with God Himself.

My Interpretation

            I like to try and stick to the facts when dealing with scripture. I myself agree with the view that this was not an special messenger sent from God but it was God Himself that Jacob wrestled with. In scripture we see that whenever a member of the Trinity is mentioned they are mentioned in the superior form indicated by a capital letter. If you look further into the text of Genesis 32 you will notice that every time this person was mentioned he was announced in this superior form.

                        When the man saw that He could not defeat him, He struck Jacobs hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip. Then He said to Jacob "Let Me go for it is daybreak."[5]

                        Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me."[6]

            Another fact that leads me to agree with this man being God Himself is that in the Bible only a member of the Trinity renamed people. We see this throughout the Bible starting in Genesis when God renames Abram to Abraham, and see it later on in the New Testament when Jesus renamed Saul to Paul. There are so many instances of renaming people by God/Christ that it is to numerous to list in this essay. The fact of the matter is that only God/Christ has the authority to rename someone biblically. We see that this person renames Jacob (which means heel catcher or deceiver) to Israel (which means God's fighter or may God strive)[7].

            The final fact and probably most important fact in this writers eyes for God being the true identity of this person comes from Jacob himself. Jacob symbolically identifies God as the person he wrestled with by naming the place where this struggle took place Peniel (which means I have seen God face to face).[8]

                                    Jacob then named the place Peniel, "For I have seen God face to face," he said, "and I have been delivered."[9]

Bibliography

Bible Book Commentaries. http://www.biblebookofgenesis.com/Genesis32-36.html (accessed July 24, 2012).

Davis, John. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Salem: Sheffield Publishing Company, 1998.

Henry, Matthew. Christ Notes. http://christnotes.org/commentary/php?com=mhc&b= 1&c=32 (accessed July 26, 2012).

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[1] Davis, John. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Salem: Sheffield Publishing Company, 1998. Pg 255

[2] Hosea 12:4a

[3] Bible Book Commentaries. http://www.biblebookofgenesis.com/Genesis32-36.html (accessed July 24, 2012).

[4] Henry, Matthew. Christ Notes. http://christnotes.org/commentary/php?com=mhc&b= 1&c=32 (accessed July 26, 2012).

[5] Genesis 32:25-26

[6] Ibid. 27

[7] Davis, John. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Salem: Sheffield Publishing Company, 1998. Pg 255

[8] Davis, John. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Salem: Sheffield Publishing Company, 1998. Pg 255

[9] Genesis 32:30

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Daniel

When looking at the identification of the four beasts in chapter 7 of Daniel there are a few different things that have to be talked about concerning this passage. The four beasts are related to as Babylon (the lion), Medo-Persia (the bear), Greece (the leopard), and Rome (the fourth beast).[1] After reading the text book it is really easy to understand why they would be seen as these four kingdoms. Daniel alluded to these four places earlier in chapter 2. The Babylonian Empire used the lion to represent itself, Medo-Persian Empire and its conquest of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt represents the "bear with three ribs in its mouth", Greece was broken into four principle sections which would have been representative of the leopard with four heads, and finally Rome which was more powerful than the others and had a longer dominion.

The other way that this could be looked at is its relationship to the book of Revelation. If you look forward to Daniel 7 verses 15 thru 28 you see the interpretation of these visions. Specifically in verses 20 thru 22 there is definitely a relationship between this vision in Daniel and what is to come in Revelation. Daniel says the he wanted to know more about the 10 horns on the beasts head and the additional horn that came up. This additional horn subdued the other 3 beasts before it.

                The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. The 10 horns are the 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:23-25)

Now take a look at what the book of Revelation has to say about the beast and its purpose.

              The 10 horns you saw are the 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. (Revelation 17:12-14)

The Son of Man mentioned in Daniel 7:13 is none other than the Messiah. The Ancient of Days refers to God and His eternal nature. As you read through this passage once again, you are reminded of the Sons power as He destroys the beast in the burning fire.

                Only one person may properly be identified as the "son of man", and that person is Jesus Christ as the New Testament apostles and Christ himself confirmed.[2]

When you relate the "One like the Son of Man" to the Messiah and compare what is happening the this vision to what happens in Revelation, once again events line up.

                Then I saw the beast, the king of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against His army. But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed the signs in his presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:19-20)

Finally we have the vision of the ram and the goat. You can look at this as the classic battle of good versus evil. You have the ram that is running all around the area, who could not be stood up against and was doing whatever he wanted. Enter the goat, who enter without ever touching the ground that stands up to the ram, and conquers him. Hence the battle between God and Satan.

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[1] Couch, Mal. "Daniel, Eschatology of." In The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, edited by Tim Lahaye and Ed Hindson, 66-70. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1995.

[2] Miller, Stephen. The New American Commentary: Daniel. Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 1994.

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Capital Punishment

 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in His image.”[1] Does this verse support the concept of capital punishment? Biblically the answer to this question is yes. Though some have opposed capital punishment for ideological and practical reasons, it is important to note that God mandated its use.[2] This divine mandate occurs for the first time after the flood.  “Then God said to Noah, I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness because of them; therefore I am going to destroy them along with the earth.”[3]

In reference to verses 5 and 6 of chapter 9 of Genesis, two things are very clear: human life is sacred and premeditated murder is utterly evil.[4] In fact there are multiple passages in the early parts of the bible that support this fact. Exodus 20:11-17 states that after God finished with the creation of the earth, he rested on the Sabbath and proclaimed loudly 6 of the 10 commandments, to include do not murder. In verses 21:12 of Exodus God states that “Whoever strikes a person so that he dies must be put to death.” Was this capital punishment limited to just murder though? Absolutely not, in verses 14-17 God also commands that those who strike their mother or father, kidnaps another, or curses their parents must also be put to “death”. So just by these few instances in the first 2 books of the bible you can see that God intended for certain punishments to be dealt with by using capital punishment.

So what does the New Testament say about capital punishment and who is responsible for carrying out that punishment? “For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.”[5] So this tells us from the New Testament side of the house the exacting of punishment, whether it is normal or capital punishment, is the responsibility of the state, not the individual. “The state has the responsibility, as God’s civil servant on earth, to protect its citizens and to punish those who harm them.”[6]

It is clearly supported by biblical evidence that capital punishment was instituted, commanded, and supported by God. Not to be questioned since the authority comes from Him and He is the law. Society today needs to look into God’s word and understand that in instances that God has commanded us to do something, it is not up for debate. As far as the subject of capital punishment is concerned I will leave you with this. “The core of the Noahic Covenant was the judicial taking of life, which is the ultimate expression of government. Since that is the ultimate exercise of justice, all other laws of government lead up to that judicial decision and find their credibility in the death penalty.”[7]

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[1] Genesis 9:6

[2] Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, and Archie England, . Hollman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nasville: Hollman Bible

   Publishers, 2004. Pg 265

[3] Genesis 6:13

[4] Davis, John. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. Salem: Sheffield Publishing Company, 1998. Pg 127

[5] Romans 13:4

[6] Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, and Archie England, . Hollman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nasville: Hollman Bible

   Publishers, 2004. Pg 265

[7] Towns, Elmer. Theology For Today. Cengage Learning, 2008. Pg 735

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