In the scene of Jacob’s wrestling, it is not fully clear who he is wrestling or who might have won the altercation. I think Jacob’s opponent is some kind of divine being meant to a representation of God Himself. However, I think that Jacob’s struggle with this figure is also meant to recognize his struggle with his brother Esau. Jacob repeatedly struggled with Esau to gain his birthright, but because Esau, just like every other human being, was created in the image and likeness of God, any struggle with Esau is also a struggle with the Divine. As stated in the article, there are many textual similarities between Jacob’s struggle in chapter 32 and his struggle with Esau in earlier chapters of Genesis, especially when they were in the womb. These similarities make me think that Jacob’s struggle with the mysterious opponent must in some way signify a connection between his struggle with his brother and a struggle with God.
I think both God and Jacob won in different ways. Just regarding the physical struggle, it seems as if Jacob wins the wrestling match. Although he is left injury, he convinces his opponent to give up and even manages to get his opponent to give him a blessing. When regarding these two aspects is seems as if Jacob is the winner. However, as discussed in the article, when the opponent, God, asks Jacob for his real name before He gives Jacob a blessing, Jacob tells him is real name and does not lie like he did to his father, Isaac. In this moment Jacob owns the deceit and trickery he has employed in the past to gain a blessing and does not try to repeat this path. In this moment both God and Jacob win as Jacob owns the mistakes he has made and becomes closer to God. Jacob also wins as he receives a new name and blessing, but this is also a way in which God wins as He probably wants these things for Jacob. Lastly, God wins by leaving a permanent mark on Jacob. By leaving him with a limp, Jacob is always reminded of the dependence he has on God and the ways in which he will always need assistance, both spiritually and physically.
Answers to Daily Questions (Catherine) 
I like your point that any earthly struggle with one of God’s creations (i.e. another person), is a struggle with the Divine. It is interesting that you view Jacob as the physical victor, despite his limp. One could argue that the permanent mark left by God is a sign of physical defeat for Jacob.
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I also agree that Jacob’s struggle with this figure is supposed to connect with the struggle that he has with his brother, Esau. This story of the battle represents the internal and external tension that Jacob had been feeling. And although God may have won the physical fight, it is Jacob who triumphs in the end with his blessing and realization that he needs God in all aspects.
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I like how you saw that both God and Jacob won in the wrestling match, but I think that with Jacob stating his real name and owning his mistake of taking Esau’s blessing, he is able to further win the wrestling match, because he became the man in the eyes of God that he needs to be. I am not sure that this person that is wrestling with Jacob is really Esau, because it is not really Esau that Jacob is struggling with, it is God.
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