My interpretation of Jacob’s wrestling is frequently being challenged with the "argument" about the Lord meeting Moses, trying to kill him. I shall, therefore, endeavor to make plain the difference between those two biblical records concerning these great men of G-d, Jacob and Moses.

What clarifies the difference between those two accounts - Jacob's wrestling and G-d seeking to kill Moses - is the record that precedes each story. The Jewish way of studying Scripture is meticulously examining every word, considering its root which, in the Hebrew, embraces many other words, linked with the particular word in question through a common idea. Thus the meaning of it is broadened. Furthermore, the tenses in which a word appears, in what context of the story, and to what time it may apply, is likewise considered carefully, as well as the numbers of the words, of a sentence and of a paragraph, for further revelation and confirmation. 

Indeed, the study of the Word is very involved, and one discovers that G-d is an unceasing fountain of continuous revelation, just as the universe keeps on expanding with no end in sight.

So, let us consider the difference between the circumstances of Jacob's wrestling and that of G-d “seeking to kill” Moses. In Jacob's account we learn that he was converted into a righteous man, honest to a fault, when his uncle Laban tricked him by giving him Leah for wife instead of his beloved Rachel¹. The experience was unbearably painful and crushing as he was being dealt back in like measure what he had done to his beloved father and to his brother. The effect of Laban’s trickery proved utterly transforming as Jacob was given to taste of his own ways.

Continuing to read Jacob's story, we see him serving his father-in-law and uncle Laban for yet another 7 years for a wife he did not want². Next, Laban struck another crafty bargain with Jacob who altogether served his uncle for 20 years³. The story reveals that Jacob had become so completely honest that he would have gained not even one sheep or goat had G-d not intervened on his behalf, using Laban's deceitfulness and cheating to Jacob’s advantage⁴. As G-d allowed that Jacob was served his own former ways for at least 14 years, the divine purpose was accomplished: Jacob became a wholly upright man who loathed deceit and deviousness, and who had learned to depend on G-d alone, trusting and hoping in His promise.

The absolute clearness of the story when read without the usual anti-Semitic prejudice leaves no room for interpreting Jacob's wrestling with the “man" as being the point in time when Jacob was "converted" from self-relying trickster into a righteous man. Furthermore, in view of the fact that G-d Himself stopped Laban from harming Jacob when he was in pursuit of him⁵ we are brought to realize that G-d was for and with Jacob, rather than Jacob having to grapple with G-d. G-d provided divine protection and favor for His chosen before the wrestling encounter. How is it, then, that so many conclude it was the Lord who jumped Jacob in the dark of night???

What’s more, Jacob was not begging this "man" (not "malach" - "angel"⁶ ; in most of Jewish literature the “man” is said to have been Samael, Esau's  “angel”, profoundly evil, known also as "angel of death") to bless him. Rather, when he made supplication he wept - for he always felt deep grief over his former ways – and gently requested, with all humility, to have his father’s blessings of the firstborn confirmed on him (see Hosea 12:4 and footnote #6). And He PREVAILED! 

While Jacob may not have felt as guilty toward his brother, with whose carnal ways he had been well acquainted and which he exploited to gain the rights of the firsborn, having tricked his father Isaac tormented Jacob ever since. The guilt became almost unbearable since Laban's trickery.

What is more, the "man" Samael does not say (in the Hebrerw), “Your name shall be CALLED…,”  but rather -- "no longer shall it be SAID of you..." There is a play with words in the Hebrew here. Jacob [ya’akov -  ] had become known as the "trickster" [akev - ] who had taken hold of his brother’s heel [ekev - ] while still in the womb, and who had dealt deceitfully [akov - ] with father and brother to obtain the blessing of the firstborn. Now, that Jacob prevailed in the wrestling match [ye’avek - ] because G-D WAS WITH HIM, despite the “angel” stirring up dust [avak - ] clouds to obscure Jacob’s perception of himself as G-d’s chosen⁷, Esau's angel reluctantly confirmed the blessing. He said that “from now on Jacob would be known as G-d's chosen, the one with whom G-d was siding, as the confirmed firstborn of Isaac – ISRAEL!”

Why Christians are so insistent on wanting to see the “trickster” Jacob wrestling with one of G-d's angels seems to have its roots in the past centuries of anti-Jewish teachings and sentiments. Jacob is forever pictured as that crooked-nosed deceitful Jew, regardless of the actual account of the story. Esau did not come with 400 men to greet and hug his brother Jacob with brotherly affection. He came to kill his brother and take everything from him. It was the decisive wrestling match from which Jacob emerged victoriously that saved his and his family's life. Samael relinquished Esau’s right who, as a result, temporarly experienced a change of heart and refrained from destroying Jacob and his 2 camps.

G-d did not confront Jacob with one of His angels because of Jacob's disobedience, or lack of faith, or trickery, or faithlessness. Jacob was on his way back home in obedience to the Lord’s command⁸ Who moreover promised to be with Jacob. Then as now the adversary of G-d is trying to destroy the chosen race that sprang from Jacob’s loins, through whom Messiah has come and to whom He will return.

If you are wrestling with G-d for faith in G-d, then I would say you have a serious problem. Jacob did not have this problem, nor did he need conversion from trickster into a righteous man at that time. He already had become G-d's man of righteousness and faith --- ISRAEL!