PENUEL!

 Genesis 32:22-32 TLB

But during the night he got up and wakened his two wives and his two concubines and eleven sons, and sent them across the Jordan River at the Jabbok ford with all his possessions, then returned again to the camp and was there alone; and a Man wrestled with him until dawn. [25] And when the Man saw that he couldn't win the match, he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket. [26] Then the Man said, "Let me go, for it is dawn." But Jacob panted, "I will not let you go until you bless me." [27] "What is your name?" the Man asked. "Jacob," was the reply. [28] "It isn't anymore!" the Man told him. "It is Israel-one who has power with God. Because you have been strong with God, you shall prevail with men." [29] "What is your name?" Jacob asked him. "No, you mustn't ask," the Man told him. And he blessed him there. [30] Jacob named the place "Peniel" ("The Face of God"), for he said, "I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is spared." [31] The sun rose as he started on, and he was limping because of his hip. [32] (That is why even today the people of Israel don't eat meat from near the hip, in memory of what happened that night.)

 

Why was Jacob alone? He sent everyone away and remained. God sometimes initiates circumstances to separate us from our self-will, self-sufficiency, and most human support until we are left alone with Him—so that we can do nothing by our own strength, knowledge, or wisdom but depend totally on Him.

Peniel or Penuel means “the face of God.” 

Jacob named the place where he wrestled with God and called it “the face of El,” for “I have seen Elohim face to face.” It is obvious from Jacob’s experience that not all physical altercations are spiritual, or vice versa, but Jacob physically wrestled with a human form—with supernatural and everlasting consequences.

The face of God—or in modern-day Hebrew, “he turns to God”—was where Jacob obtained his new name “Israel.” 

We must always learn to turn to God.

There is always a victor in every spot, especially in spiritual wrestling. We are never alone in any wrestling match; we always have the Holy Spirit on our side, Jesus Christ interceding for us, and the host of heaven defending us.

Verse 31 connects to 2 Corinthians 12:7, which says Paul was touched with a thorn, just as Jacob was touched with a limp when they encountered the Lord. An encounter with the Lord will leave God’s chosen vessels with a “thing”—something to keep them from depending on their own strength and wisdom, pushing them to lean on God. Jacob’s lameness was to keep him mindful of this mysterious scene in verse 31, as Paul’s thorn kept him humble. Brokenness is a key to blessings; we must be broken of pride, arrogance, and superiority to be elevated by the Lord.

When we come to “Penuel,” turning to the Lord to seek Him earnestly and humbly, we experience the Lord’s glory. 

Penuel is a place of encounter, where we wrestle and triumph with the Lord’s help.

It’s a place of change: Jacob became Israel, just as Saul became Paul on the way to Damascus. Both were changed from men unfit for God’s use to men fitted for kingdom purposes.

A place of discovery: Jacob would no longer be the man he was—the man everyone knew him to be: the schemer, deceiver, and supplanter. He discovered Israel, the man God needed to perfect His prophecy.

A place of prevailing: Luke 18:1,7 tells us not to lose heart but to keep praying, keeping faith, and waiting until we prevail, no matter how discouraging or challenging it gets.

Penuel is a place of preservation. The Lord could easily have destroyed Jacob for all his faults, but He preserved him for His purpose.

Penuel is a place of perpetual experience. When we encounter the Lord, it is long-lasting, especially if there is something that reminds us of the encounter, like Jacob’s limp. Each time we feel, think about, see, or talk about our encounter, we use that reminder as a reference point.

Penuel is a place of favour. Hosea 12:4 says that although Jacob prevailed in wrestling with the Lord, it was not by his own might, but the Lord showed favour in response to Jacob’s tears and prayer.

The place of blessing: Jacob’s encounter with God changed his perspective and opened new opportunities for him, establishing God’s plan and purpose for Israel. Keep seeking His face—you too will prevail!

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

- Have you ever been left alone with only the Lord? How did that feel?

- Is there somebody you are wrestling with right now who seems undefeatable? How would you handle that after this?

- Are there areas of your life where the Lord is wrestling with you? Are you more confident handing them over to Him now?

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for promising to show me your face and glory when I seek you. Help me to encounter you daily, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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