Question about the Jews and Incarnation of God!
By Gordano
@Gordano (795)
United States
February 2, 2012 11:46pm CST
While it appears from the first look that the Mainstream Judaism totally rejects any doctrine of an incarnation of God and absolutely rejects any concept of an incarnation of God in any form, a story in Genesis 32 suggest something different.
(24) And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
(25) [i]And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
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(26) [i]And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
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(27) And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
(28) And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
(29) And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
(30) And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Does the story reveal a doctrine if divine incarnation in Judaism? or the story is nothing but Biblical forgery? or Jacob in fact wrestled a sacred bat which obviously used to fear the day light?
What are your thoughts?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
3 Feb 12
"...he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint"
What Jabob does to the other he is affected by, this is, I believe, an allegorical take about man wrestling with himself. Not physically but spiritually. When daylight comes he returns to normal activity
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@iuliuxd (4453)
• Romania
3 Feb 12
That is also the interpretation in orthodoxy.To give up on yourself means to fight with God and to defeat Him which is the greatest thing a human being can achieve.
all the best urban
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
3 Feb 12
Hi Gordano.
It appears this is just one of the many spiritual experiences Jacob had of God. At the time he believed he had seen God face to face at that particular time. I would be interested to see how Jews today see this text in the light presented. My own thoughts are that the spiritual (not physical) being Jacob wrestled with was not Almighty God. It is debatable exactly what Jacob's ideas about were at that stage of his life. However, a higher being would not have given the excuse of daylight breaking for the urgency of its departure. Jacob knew he had this being "right there" with that statement & used it very well to his lasting credit. Such a breif incarnation of God otherwise seems utterly useless to anyone else but Jacob.
Another interpretation is that this story is told allegorically & contains important teachings & instructions for those on the path who are wise & are able to understand such things.
Scriptural forgery is also possible, as there are many other examples of this, but in this case, unlikely, at least as far as origin goes. Normally, stories like this are taken from the original Master and included (or bent) if it can be presented in a way to support the priesthood & their doctrine & dogma.
It appears this is just one of the many spiritual experiences Jacob had of God. At the time he believed he had seen God face to face at that particular time. I would be interested to see how Jews today see this text in the light presented. My own thoughts are that the spiritual (not physical) being Jacob wrestled with was not Almighty God. It is debatable exactly what Jacob's ideas about were at that stage of his life. However, a higher being would not have given the excuse of daylight breaking for the urgency of its departure. Jacob knew he had this being "right there" with that statement & used it very well to his lasting credit. Such a breif incarnation of God otherwise seems utterly useless to anyone else but Jacob.
Another interpretation is that this story is told allegorically & contains important teachings & instructions for those on the path who are wise & are able to understand such things.
Scriptural forgery is also possible, as there are many other examples of this, but in this case, unlikely, at least as far as origin goes. Normally, stories like this are taken from the original Master and included (or bent) if it can be presented in a way to support the priesthood & their doctrine & dogma. 