"Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with Him. And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' But he said, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me!' So He said to him, 'What is your name?' He said, 'Jacob.' And He said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.' Then Jacob asked, saying, 'Tell me Your name, I pray.' And He said, 'Why is it that you ask about My name?' And He blessed him there." -Genesis 32:24-29
Notes:
The Man is identified by Hosea as an angel.
"Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us." -Hosea 12:4
The importance of the narrative is Jacob's willingness to contend with God at his time of desperate need. He knows God has willed to bless him.
"For You said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannont be numbered for multitude.' " -Genesis 32:12
And he will settle for nothing less than his full inheritance.
"And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' But he said, 'I will not let You go unless You bless me!'" -Genesis 32:26
His contending tenacity causes him to again prevail.
"Then Jacob asked, saying, 'Tell me Your name, I pray.' And He said, 'Why is it that you ask about My name?' And He blessed him there." -Genesis 32:29
The man obviously knew Jacob's name. He was made to say it because of its meaning--"Supplanter" or "Deceiver." He must acknowledge his weakness before he is transformed.
"Israel" can mean "Prince with God" "He strives with God," or "May God Persevere." In spite of his character weaknesses, God commends him for his prevailing attitude, he is a fighter. As such, Hosea sees him as a model to be emulated whenever one is facing difficulty or a need for character transformation.
"The Lord also brings a charge against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds he will recompense him. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God. Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us-- That is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorable name. So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually." -Hosea 12:2-6
We are to be fighters through our struggles and wait on God continually.
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