#8 — Parshat Vayishlach
We want to talk with you! Open the chat at the bottom right of your screen to chat live or click here
From a night of fear to a morning of trust. What can bring such a radical change? Let’s discover the secret of Parshat Vayishlach.
Atoning Esau’s Face?
It is a dark night. Jacob is terribly distressed. (Genesis 32:7)
He has returned to Canaan as G-d instructed him. G-d also promised to protect Jacob — but now he learns Esau is on his way with 400 men! What does my brother intend with such an army?
An attack seems imminent. Fearing greatly and in distress, Jacob cries out to the L-RD for deliverance. Then tries to appease his brother by sending servants with droves of animals as a gift to Esau. (Genesis 32:9-21)
Parshat Vayishlach presents Jacob’s thoughts in an interesting way. In a literal translation of the Hebrew, Jacob says: “I will atone his face with the offering that goes before my face, and after that I will see his face, maybe he will take up (accept) my face.” (Genesis 32:20)
Now it’s the middle of the night. In fear of his life, Jacob sends not only gifts before him, but also makes his entire family cross the river Jabbok with all he possesses. He himself stays behind, alone in the night. He can’t face his brother.
Who Wrestles with Jacob?
But suddenly out of the darkness a man assails him! (Genesis 32:22-24)
Who is this? Esau, coming to kill me? Someone on my brother’s side? [1]
The mysterious figure wrestles with Jacob till daybreak. Seeing more is needed to subdue Jacob, the man just touches Jacob’s hip, putting it out of joint.
Jacob still hangs on, so the man demands to be released from his grip. (Genesis 32:25-26)
Now it dawns on Jacob that his opponent is no mere mortal. Discerning this is G-d’s messenger, Jacob asks for his blessing as a condition for release.
We discover Jacob actually was struggling with the Angel of the L-RD! This is the Angel who redeems Jacob from all evil (Genesis 48:16), who is the very face of the L-RD.
The Prophet’s Commentary
In Hosea 12, the prophet in recounting this incident identifies this Angel as the L-RD himself:
In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
And in his maturity he contended with G-d.
Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed;
He wept and sought His favor.
He found Him at Bethel
And there He spoke with us,
Even the L-RD, the G-d of hosts,
The L-RD is His name. (Hosea 12:3-5 NASB)
Yes, G-d appeared as a man. Jacob clings to him: “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)
Then G-d changes Jacob’s name to Isra-el “He strives with G-d.” [2] This night and name change encapsulate all of Jacob’s life. “For you have striven with G-d and with men and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28)
The Restraint of G-d
How can you prevail against G-d?
Only if He lets you. The great miracle in this story is G-d’s amazingly gracious restraint.
In all its mystery, the point of the story is clear. There is something that takes priority above the “atoned face” of the brother who becomes your worst fear: the “atoned face” of the L-RD, who blesses you. Jacob comes to understand this wonderful truth. His heart is full with glad amazement. He calls the name of the place “Peni-el,” or “face of G-d.” He tells us why. “For I have seen G-d face to face and yet my life has been delivered.” (Genesis 32:30) Jacob would be limping physically the rest of his life. But literally and figuratively, “The sun rose upon him as he passed Penu-el.” (Genesis 32:31)
Reconciliation
And look, just at that moment Esau arrives together with his 400 men. Jacob still has his wives and children lined up out front, but then comes up from the rear to stand before them. (Genesis 33:1-3) He can face his brother now. We see in Jacob’s no-longer-fearful attitude the sentiment David will later express, “In G-d I trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11)
Jacob is not only accepted by G-d, but also reconciled to Esau. This reconciliation reflects the favor which Jacob found that night in G-d’s face. Jacob says to Esau: “I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of G-d and you have accepted me.” (Genesis 33:10) The night of fear turned into a morning of amazing grace. Jacob understood G-d’s grace had made the impossible possible. He should have died at Esau’s hand, but lived. He should have died for seeing G-d, but lived.
Our Story Too
This story can be our story too. The same G-d who preserved Jacob’s soul wants to wrestle with us. He wants us to find His “atoned face” through Jesus our Messiah. In His Son G-d appeared in the form of a man — the very man who wrestled with Jacob.
Here is our application: wrestle with Yeshua (Jesus) and your life will be preserved. Place your trust in the atonement He has accomplished through His sinless life, substitutionary death, and resurrection in power and receive eternal life. As always, we’d love to talk with you. See the chat below. We wish you G-d’s perfect Shalom.
[1] Rashi, following the midrash goes even so far that he identifies the man with “Esau’s prince” שרו של עשו Esau’s guardian angel. But that is definitely not the Pshat, scripture clearly identifies the Man with God himself.
[2] Genesis 32:28 (“you have striven with G-d”) and Hosea 12:4 (“he strove with the angel”) use the same verb (שָׂרִ֧יתָ sarita and שָׂרָ֥ה sar-ah, respectively) at the root of “Israel.”
