Jacob returns home

Jacob fled from home many years before because of what had been done to his brother, Esau.  He feared retaliation.

Upon his return home, with his wife, children, and flocks of livestock, he sent gifts on ahead to curry favor with his older brother.  When they finally meet, at the beginning of Chapter 33, Esau threw his arms around Jacob and they wept.  Esau would not accept Jacob's gifts, but Jacob insisted.

An interesting passage, however, occurs in Chapter 32, Verses 24-32.  Jacob sent his family and possessions on ahead while he stayed behind at a river.  This was just prior to his meeting with Esau.  The passage tells that a man visited Jacob just before daybreak and wrestled with him.  The man had no name.  The man, who was losing the match, struck Jacob in the hip and told Jacob to let him go.  Jacob refused and asked the man's name.  The man said that Jacob will no longer be called Jacob, but will be called Israel.  In the aftermath, Jacob said that he had seen God face-to-face, and blessed the spot where the struggle took place.