I write about him in such detail so that we may understand how complex this righteous one is, and that we may perceive what G-d is doing. For G-d speaks to us clearly through Jacob who was transformed into I’sra'el. It is not our many religious activities that amount to anything, nor can we ever by any means "merit" righteousness and therewith salvation. It was not that Jacob "merited" anything: rather, after relying on the strength of his OWN nature to overcome trials brought on by himself and others, he then strove mightily against this nature with values in the dimension of the spiritual and the divine. Jacob OVERCAME and was TRANSFORMED by his faith which, although weakened at times, remained nontheless, UNSHAKABLE! 

G-d does not expect us to “merit” redemption and salvation. We only have to look to the patriarchs, in particular to Jacob, to understand this. Despite his shortcomings he became the progenitor of G-d's elect people Israel. His faith not only saw him through but also was the medium by which G-d transformed Jacob into the righteous patriarch of G-d's own people. 

G-d uses FAITH to create and recreate. Apart from faith we cannot please G-d, neither is there redemption nor recreation. Therefore, G-d "hated” Esau, but Jacob He "loved."

Do you see now WHO Jacob is, and why G-d approved of him as the progenitor of a new race of man?

Then let us continue with the account of this very special man's life.

And so, the angel prophesied to him what would be said of him from then on, that as a prince (sar - heir) he had power [lit,. the power of authority, such as the power of authority delegated by Yeshua to the disciples over all of the power of the enemy²⁵] with G-d and men (sara et-elohim) and over the angel (v’jasar et-malach²⁶). I.e., G-d was confirming Jacob the “supplanter” rather than Esau as the prince in Isaac's household; Jacob's strength (ôwn) came from G-d, Who empowered him to overcome, prevail (yâkôl) against Esau's angel. “Because...

1 John 4:4:  "...greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Jacob replied: "So then, please, what is said of YOU? What is YOUR name?" Is YOUR power and authority of G-d, or of evil? Are you a holy angel of the Lord G-d, or are you my brother's supernatural emissary to strip me of my father's blessings before I actually meet with Esau? Did you come to weaken me in order to make me subservient to my brother? Or did you come to acknowledge my position as divinely elected heir of my father and his blessings? Whence is your power, and why did you wrestle with me in the blackness of night? Surely I know who you are. So tell me your name that I may see if my suspicions were right.

The “man” did not like Jacob's question. "Why is it THIS you ask? What's to MY name that's so important to know? Suffice it, that I confirm the blessing of the firstborn on you." The Hebrew clearly indicates the angel's evasiveness, who knew very well what Jacob wanted to know. He was not about to disclose his true nature and mission. But the angel realized that he was powerless against Jacob, for it meant "wrestling with G-d" Himself, Who had chosen Jacob as the heir of Isaac, and not Esau. The angel could not overcome G-d’s authority, therefore Esau stood stripped of his birthright not merely by Jacob, but by G-d. There remained nothing more to do then to confirm what the Almighty had already established. Therefore he ratified to Jacob then and there the blessing he had sought to wrest from him and transfer back to Esau.

Likewise the peoples who are attempting to “wrest” from Israel the birthright of inheritance since the day of her rebirth as a nation²⁷, have actually been wrestling with G-d²⁸, challenging and defying Him²⁹. The 1,800 years of Gentile "Esauic" Christianity also testify of her attempts to strip the descendants of Jacob of their birthright, calling herself the “new Israel.” But Jacob prevailed and is returning to the promised land after 20 centuries, known again among the nations by no other name than Israel.

The “man” disappeared from the narrative as suddenly as he had appeared. He was but a bad dream, a nightmare. 

Those nations and individuals who seek moreover to divide up the Land of Israel and her capital, Jerusalem³⁰, will discover that they are meddling not with mere mortals’ land but with the pastures of G-d³¹ and His chosen city. They will not succeed, even though backed by Satan’s enormous power³². Rather, they will grievously hurt themselves³³. For a time it may appear that Jacob's descendants, (even the whole seed of Abraham), are defeated³⁴. But G-d's salvation will not tarry. He will arise and empower His people with divine might³⁵ to prevail over their enemies. Then G-d will deal with the nations according to His indignation and fury for their incredible arrogance, love of unrighteousness and wicked deceit³⁶.

Jacob's wrestling and ultimate victory is the prophetic foreshadowing of Israel’s final battle referred to by the prophets as "the time of Jacob's troubles"³⁷. May Israel be prepared physically and spiritually with unshakable faith and trust in G-d. May the nations be warned that G-d has already set His King on Zion, His holy hill³⁸, and that they cannot have what G-d has given to Israel, "...because as regards election Israel is [they are] beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of G-d are irrevocable."³⁹

Furthermore, Jacob exclaimed with a sigh of relief: "I shall call this place 'Peni'el': for I was face to face with divine [supernatural] power, and wrestled with one whose might was from G-d⁴⁰ . And I escaped with my soul, with the breath of my life."

Hebrew makes subtle distinctions, and while on the surface it may mean one thing, careful research and study of roots, tenses, and derivatives, reveals what is actually being said. Hence, instead of "face to face with [Almighty] G-d," what is actually implied is, "faced with a power that is from G-d," or "face to face with a divine [supernatural] power." Furthermore, the Hebrew word for life is chaim, while in this text the word nephesh - soul is being used, its meaning related to the breath of life. Chayah or michjah are the common words in regard to having one's life preserved or rescued or kept safely. The word tinatzel translated as preserved instead carries the meaning of escape, as from a mortal danger. The English translation relates to a degree the truth, but not the actual meaning of what both this “man” and Jacob said

Because Jacob's words have been translated as, "I have seen G-d face to face,” most Christians believe this “man” to have been an angel FROM G-d. Yet the accurate picture in the Hebrew is, "I was faced with a might bestowed by G-d," or "I was face to face with a supernatural power, and [like a bird the fowler's snare] my soul escaped this mortal danger. He couldn't take my breath of life away."

“For We are not Contending against Flesh and Blood, but against the Principalities, against the Powers, against the World Rulers of this Present Darkness, against the Spiritual Hosts of Wickedness in the Heavenly Places.”   (Ephesians 6:12) 
 
 
 

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