Knowing The Word in Genesis 32:22-32, Wrestling with God

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok [a fast-flowing tributary of the Jordan River]. [Why did Jacob rise in the night to make this move?] 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. [Why did he not go with them?] And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. [This describes the attack from Jacob’s point of view. He had to fight for his life with this unidentified male.] 25 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. [A touch that dislocates an opponent’s hip requires superhuman power.] 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” [Supremely interested in blessing, Jacob demands one to end the encounter.] 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 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.” [By divulging his name, Jacob reveals his character, which is a confession of guilt. In uttering his name he admits he has cheated his brother. By changing his name, his opponent announces Jacob’s new character and destiny.] 29 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. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel [spelled differently everywhere else (see below); it sounds more like the “face of God”], saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” [This is the most important aspect to Jacob of his encounter. He has survived meeting God. Will he survive meeting Esau?] 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32 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. [This custom is a reminder of the nation’s election.]