Was Jacob already a heart believer when the angels of God met him in Genesis 32?
No. Although Jacob recognized the angels as God’s host and named the place Mahaniim, he was aware of what God was doing yet was still not a heart believer at that time. This encounter did not mean he had already become a heart believer.
Les explains that Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's host," and named the place Mahaniim, meaning the two hosts—God's host and his own. Les emphasizes that Jacob was aware of all these things God was doing, but he was still not a heart believer. Jacob then sent messengers and a tremendous gift of livestock and wealth to appease Esau, though Esau had evidently forgotten his bitterness. Later, at the ford Jabbok, Jacob was left alone and wrestled with a man until the breaking of the day; when the stranger could not overcome him, he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh, crippling him, and Jacob limped from that point on.