What does Genesis 32:10 mean?
Jacob continues his desperate prayer to God out of his fear that Esau's approaching party of 400 men is set to kill him. In the previous verse, he referred to the Lord as the one who told him to come here within reach of Esau, the one who promised to do good to him.Now Jacob expresses his deep humility and gratitude before God. He is not demanding anything. In fact, he describes himself as unworthy of even the smallest things God has done out of His love for and faithfulness to Jacob. Jacob recognizes he would have no possessions to lose now if it weren't for God. Leaving his homeland, he owned nothing but his staff. And, he fled as a direct result of his own manipulations and schemes (Genesis 27:30–35; 27:41–45). Now he possesses enough property, servants, and livestock to fill two large camps.
Before asking for God's help, Jacob gives thanks for the enormous good God has already done for him. That's a good pattern for us to follow, as well.
Genesis 32:1–21 describes Jacob's preparations to meet his brother Esau, who is coming his way with 400 men. This will be the first time Jacob and Esau have spoken since Jacob fled Esau's rage as described in Genesis 27. Jacob is terrified this approaching force is coming to kill him. He divides his company into two camps. He prays in humility and faith to God for deliverance. He prepares a large gift of 550 animals to be strategically delivered to Esau to appease his presumed anger.
As Jacob turns from Laban and returns to his own country, he must face another fearful potential conflict. His twin brother Esau is coming with 400 men. Jacob fears this group approaches to take revenge for cheating Esau out of the family blessing 20 years earlier. Jacob is so afraid that he splits his company into two camps, even as he prays for deliverance. He also prepares an enormous gift to appease Esau. Finally, while alone in the dark, Jacob is unexpectedly forced to wrestle a mysterious man, who turns out to be God Himself in some manifested form. In a profound moment of symbolism, God forces Jacob to state his own name, which God then changes to Israel.