On his journey home, angels of God met Jacob again in the wilderness. He names the place Mahanaim, meaning two camps.

For Jacob, returning home after 20 years will not be smooth. He left in a hurry after tricking his older twin brother not only out of his inheritance but also out of his father’s blessing. 

Fearing his brother’s wrath, Jacob sends out messengers ahead to find Esau and tell them he is coming. The messengers return, saying that Esau is coming to him with 400 men. Jacob breaks his group into two so that if Esau attacks one, the other can escape. 

Jacob prays to the God of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac, asking for deliverance from his brother Esau. He sends a massive herd of sheep, goats, camels, and cows ahead of him as a gift of restitution to his brother. He sends his wives and children across the stream and stays alone at his camp overnight. 

All night he wrestles with a man, and the man puts Jacob’s hip out of joint. Jacob will not let him go unless he blesses him. The man tells him his new name is Israel because he has striven with God and prevailed. The man doesn’t tell Jacob his own name, but blesses him, and Jacob names the place Peniel, meaning “face of God.” He leaves with a blessing and a limp.

This incident mirrors Jacob’s trip out to Haran; he dreamt of the ladder of angels, and now, on his way home, he meets angels and wrestles with God himself. Jacob’s obedience in going home to face his brother, and his tenacity, please God. As Israel, he becomes a namesake of a nation.

“For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” Genesis 32:30