Genesis 32:24

II. THE STRUGGLE IN THE NIGHT.

24. And Jacob was left alone.

After his prayer he had proceeded with his preparations which had occupied the day. He had first prepared. splendid present for his brother which was sent on in advance with. conciliatory message. He then took his wives and children over the brook Jabbok,. stream at the ford where he crossed, about thirty feet wide. Having sent his entire encampment across the stream he returned, probably because he wished to spend the night alone in prayer.

There wrestled. man with him.

Various opinions have been held of Jacob's antagonist. Hosea, in chapter 12:3, calls him "the angel," while Jacob says in verse 30, "I had seen God face to face." It is probable that, as in the case of the three visitants to Abraham, it was an angel who came as. representative of the Almighty. Some have held that whatever may have appeared to Jacob, the struggle was mental and spiritual, the angel wrestling with the soul of Jacob. Whatever may be true it is easy to discover the real meaning of the conflict.