Was Christ literally wrestling with Jacob in Genesis 32?
Yes. The Genesis 32 encounter was a theophany—God the Son appearing in human form—so Christ literally wrestled with Jacob. Jacob recognized he was dealing with the Lord, and he held on, saying he would not let Him go unless He blessed him.
Les explains that this was a theophany—the appearance of God in human form—and in the Old Testament a theophany is always God the Son. So this is Christ in an Old Testament appearance, literally wrestling flesh and blood Jacob on His turf. Jacob knew who it was; he refused to let Him go unless He blessed him, which was a statement of Jacob's faith. The Lord then asked his name, and Jacob answered, 'Jacob,' meaning deceiver or supplanter. The Lord changed his name to Israel because as a prince he had power with God and with men and prevailed—that was Jacob's salvation.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
More Questions
What did Jacob understand about who he was wrestling with that made him refuse to let go?
During the wrestling, Jacob understood who it was he was actually wrestling with, and on that basis he refused to let go until he was blessed.