“And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.” Genesis 32.1, 1
We are first introduced to this place called “Mahanaim” in this Genesis account involving Jacob. After having left his homeland in fear of his brother Esau, Jacob experienced his unique dream of the ladder that reached into heaven. Then, after spending many years working to gain a wife and being deceived by his new father-in-law, Laban; Jacob decided to move out. He took his four wives, his children, a host of servants and a massive flock of animals which he had separated from Laban’s flock by way of cross-breeding.
His methods were quite ingenious at the time; however, his deceptive methods drove Laban’s sons into a rage. When Laban’s forces overtook Jacob and his entourage, one could almost see the steam rising from the angry horde. After negotiations between Jacob and Laban; and, after a cursory search for Laban’s teraphim (his household gods); the two set up a stone marker setting a dividing line between the two. Having come to an agreement, Laban arose early the next morning – gathered his people – and, he went home.
Through all of these events we see God reaching out to Jacob – reminding Jacob that He was the answer to his hopes and fears. To all of this, Jacob seemed oblivious as he chose his own direction rather than a path of holiness unto the Lord.
As Jacob continued on his way, he was met by a host of angels. (Genesis 32.1) Evidently, this was an encampment of God’s host (possibly the same host he had seen years earlier ascending and descending on the heavenly ladder). Jacob named the place, Mahanaim (meaning “two camps” or “two hosts”). He recognized that there is a difference between being physically within the borders of a camp and actually being a part of the camp.
Jacob had his host and God had His host. While Jacob entered this heaven-on-earth encampment, he still was not a part of it. God was still pursuing him. Only after a night-long wrestling match did Jacob recognize that he was not in the right camp – that he needed to have more than a physical proximity to God – he needed a personal relationship with Him.
While many today exist in close proximity to God’s family – even attending worship services led by God’s messengers – they are in a wrestling match (initiated by God), struggling and being torn between two worlds. Only after God touched Jacob and rendered him incapable of further fighting did Jacob submit and experience God’s blessings.
Having submitted to God and having received God’s blessing, Jacob renamed Mahanaim and called it, “Peniel” – “the Face of God.” (Genesis 32.30) Jacob, finally, had experienced God.