He halted upon his thigh, &c.— Some think that he continued to do so all his life after; others, that his lameness continued only for a time: the latter seems the most probable. However, to preserve the memory of this extraordinary event, the descendants of Israel eat not of that sinew (or tendon) of any animal, which fastens the hip-bone in its socket, which comprehends the flesh of that muscle which is connected with it. See Bishop Patrick. Some have been so scrupulous as never to eat of the whole hind-quarter; while others, less so, abstain from the thigh only, and some only from the sinew above-mentioned. Dr. Harle, in his Essay on Physic in the Old and New Testament, says, that "the Angel touched (when it was upon the stretch) the sinew, or gave it a smart stroke, to disable his antagonist, by stupefying and benumbing the part for the present, which was all that was necessary for his yielding. If it had been a luxation, or a dislodging of the head of the thigh-bone from its socket on a sudden, and with violence, he must have felt it immediately; whereas it was not taken notice of till the sun was up, and he was walking up the hill. It seems rather to have been a subluxation, a less and partial remove of the bone from its place, which has less pain, and is easier gone with. Either of these might continue his life-long. These luxations, especially those of the first sort, are hard, some say impossible, to be cured, and frequently happened in wrestling. It is said to be the sinew that shrank, because of the apparent shortness of the leg upon standing or moving. Luxations of this kind were so common among wrestlers, that they had physicians or surgeons provided to give some immediate assistance to the sufferer." See Saurin's 31st Dissertation.
REFLECTIONS.—Jacob having dismissed his servants, in the next place takes care to remove his family and children over the brook, choosing to spend some time alone with God in prayer and supplication. Note; While we are using means, we must be looking up to God for a blessing on them. We have hereupon a very singular occurrence.
1. A man wrestled with him: a man in form, but more than man in nature, even the great God-man, the Angel of the Covenant. Jacob now had a sore conflict to sustain, which extorted from him strong crying and tears; for while he struggled, he wept, and made supplications to the Angel. Note; They who would prevail in temptation, must first wrestle in prayer with God.
2. Jacob's perseverance. He who wrestled with him, upheld his strength, and but opposed to make his victory more glorious. Note; If God exercises us with sore conflicts, we may have confidence in him, that as our day is, our strength shall be.
3. The Angel's touch disjointing his thigh: probably without pain, yet incapacitating him for corporal struggle: not, however, inducing him to quit his hold, or give up the contest. Note; When we are weak, then are we strong: the deepest sense of our own insufficiency gives our faith more hold of Christ and determined trust in him.
4. The Angel's request to be gone, because the day breaks. He who had disjointed his thigh, might have disjointed his arms too; but he seeks not to prevail, only to exercise Jacob's faith and constancy. His family calls, business approaches; and these usually oblige us to leave the closet of prayer for the employments of our profession. But,
5. He will not let him go without a blessing. He knew with whom he had to do, and resolves, though he were slain, to trust in him, and by a holy importunity extorts his benediction. Note; Christ loves importunate fervent prayer.
6. His prayer is granted, and, in token of it, his name is changed into Israel, a Prince with God. Note; (1.) Perseverance will certainly be crowned with victory. (2.) Let every Israelite indeed shew by his prayers his relation to the patriarch.
7. In grateful acknowledgment of the mercy shewn him, he calls the place Peniel. They who have received most from God, will never value themselves on their own prayers or piety, but wonder at God's pity and condescension to them.
8. On parting, at sun-rising he finds his halting. In the heat of contest, the hurt is less felt. But it is an honourable scar; and the inconvenience it occasioned, is well repaid by the constant remembrance of the mercy. Note; It were happy for professors, if the rising sun found them not on beds of sloth, but rising from the place of prayer.
9. The custom observed by posterity, to continue the memory of God's goodness to their father Jacob. Children's children should look back upon their fathers' mercies as their own.