God not only wanted Jacob to return to the Promised Land, he wanted him to return as a different man, not the deceiver who left. This encounter with God would be a crucial part of his transformation.

Jacob wrestled with great resolve against the Lord. Even when he was hurt (v25-26) Jacob would not let go until blessing came. Here we see a change from the Jacob who previously sought blessing through deception.

Before the blessing came, Jacob had to have a new name which would speak of a new life (v27-28). Jacob means ‘deceiver’ while Israel means ‘struggles with God’. This speaks of a new way to seek blessing in life.

Like when he named Bethel, Jacob names this place so he would remember this life changing event. He called it Peniel which means ‘face of God’ (v30).

Jacob left Peniel a new man, limping but a man who had been bent to God’s will (v32). In all of us the old man needs to crucified and replaced with the new man of Christ (Romans 6 v5-7). Is this happening in your life?