Who was the man with whom Jacob wrestled?

Source: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Subject: Jacob wrestled with whom? Article written by Gary D. Baldwin According to Baldwin, at Peniel, Jacob wrestled face to face with God. He saw how weak he was before God. It taught him the value of continued prayer from one who is helpless. Jacob emerged from Peniel willing to let his life fall into Gods control. He was wounded but victorious. God gave him a crippled body but a strengthened faith. It was a new Jacob-Israelwho hobbled off to meet Esau. He had learned obedience through suffering. It is clear that this writer has no other proposals of the man who Jacob wrestled with. Baldwin does not offer any other suggestions as to who this man was other than God.1
(1) Gary D. Baldwin. Jacobs Religion. Pg. 864

Source: biblestudy.org Subject: Jacob wrestles with a man Article written by: Clay Willis Willis points out the fact that, the scripture does not say that this wrestling match was with an 'angel' but with a 'man.' Willis leans toward the view of the man being God as he writes, Although the man does not give his name, Jacob understood that he had struggled with God and that he "saw God face to face" (Genesis 32:30). Because of this, many believe the person who fought him was actually God the Son - the same One who had appeared to both Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 17:1; 18:1) and Isaac (Genesis 26:1, 24) in the form of a 'man.'1
(1) Clay Willis. Why did Jacob wrestle an ANGEL?

Source: http:www.articlesbase.com Subject: In the Quran: saying that the Lord wrestled with Jacob is an unforgivable sin Commentary written by: N.B. This writer writes a lengthy questions and answers type article and sums it with the following numbered statements. 1) Anyone believes or says that the Almighty Creator is seen in the life of this world is categorized as a disbeliever, it is an unjustifiable sin. 2) Anyone believes or says that the Almighty Creator that Jacob wrestled with the Almighty Creator is classified as a disbeliever, it is an inexcusable sin. 3) Anyone believes or says that Jacob defeated the Almighty Creator is greatly insulting his LORD, it is an unforgivable sin. 4) The bearer of anyone of the three above sins will dwell in the Eternal Fire1

The writer argues that no man has seen God thus there is no way that Jacob could have wrestled with God. He further states that Jacob was weaker than Esau thus there is no way he could be stronger than God. Finally, there are many creatures that are not viewable to the naked eye of man such as microscopic creations and large stars which require telescopes thus God is no exception to the rule.
(1) N.B. In the Quran: saying that the Lord wrestled with Jacob is an unforgivable sin.

Ruthie Moores view Jacob wrestled with a man. Genesis 32:24-32 The LORD manifested himself in many ways in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament Christ made Himself visible to many yet His name as Savior Jesus was not revealed until the New Testament times. Here in the text One appears as a man with the ability and authority to bless the man of God and change his name. We know that Christ is the Word /God according to John chapter 1. According to Towns, the pre-existence of Christ is further substantiated by the many recorded Christophanies in the Bible. A Christophany is the manifestation of God in visible and bodily form before the incarnation.1 On at least three occasions, Jesus appeared in a Christophany as a human before the incarnation. On these occasions, he appeared among men as a man. Gen18:1-33;32:24-32; Dan 3:23-29.2 Furthermore, Jacob called the name of the very place Peniel for he wrestled with God face to face.
(1)Elmer Towns. Theology for Today. The Christophanies.Pg. 173 (2) Elmer Towns. Theology for Today. The Man. Pg. 175

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