Limping Forward
Genesis 32:22–32
The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Genesis 32:31

The picture here is of the patriarch limping forward to meet Esau, limping because of the wound inflicted on his hip. I ask, is this a pitiful picture? It is not, as anyone with perception knows. It is a strong picture, for now Jacob is moving forward at the command, and in the power, of God.

This is the significance of his new name. Before this, his name was Jacob, which means “heel grasper,” “cheat,” or “supplanter.” God forced him to confess this (v. 27). Now Jacob’s name is changed to Israel. I am convinced that the meaning of this name has been misconstrued by most commentators. Israel is a compound of two words: sarah (meaning “fight,” “struggle,” or “rule”) and el (meaning “God”). Commentators have taken this to mean “he struggles with God” or “he prevails with God” because of verse 28: “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

In other cases, however, of names compounded from a verb and the name of God, God is not the object of the verb. He is the subject. Thus, Daniel means “God judges,” not “he judges God.” Samuel means “God heard,” not “he heard God.” If we are to follow the same principle of interpretation here, Israel means “God rules,” “God commands,” or “God prevails.”

But what of verse 28, which calls the patriarch Israel because “you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed”? I think the verse is ironic. With men, Jacob had contended successfully . . . and lost. He cheated Esau of the blessing but lost Esau’s good will. He outwitted his blind and ailing father but lost his good name. None of these victories had brought satisfaction, and now on the banks of the Jabbok, he is bottled up between enemies. He even has God for his antagonist. However, in his battle with God, Jacob suffers a reversal of his fortunes, which is actually his victory. He loses his wrestling match with God; God touches his hip and he is permanently wounded. But in the divine logic, which is beyond our full comprehension, this loss is Jacob’s victory. For at last Jacob surrenders himself. He wins by losing and is now able to go on in new strength as God’s man.

I love this picture of the limping Jacob, for it describes us. We limp, so far as our own strength is concerned. In the world’s eyes, we are cripples. But God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and it is when we appear weakest that we are strong. An army like that (even a single individual like that) is invincible.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.