Hosea 12:4

One important instance of Jacob contending with God was when he wrestled with the angel at Peniel and prevailed over him by weeping and pleading with him to bless him (Genesis 32:22-32). This event was a turning point in Jacob’s life because he finally realized that he could not succeed simply by manipulation and trickery. He recognized His need for God’s help and turned to Him in desperation. It was the occasion of Jacob’s repentance. God had prepared Jacob for this event by allowing him to experience several years of conflict with his uncle Laban (cf. Genesis 31:42).

Another significant event in Jacob’s life was when he returned to Bethel, where God had appeared to him in a dream years earlier (Genesis 28:10-22). This return to Bethel, and the act of worship Jacob performed there, were in obedience to God’s word to him to go there and fulfill his former vow (Genesis 35:1-14). This too was an act of submissive obedience and resulted in God changing Jacob’s name to Israel (prince with God) again, blessing him, and renewing the Abrahamic Covenant with him.

It is ironic that the place where Jacob got right with God was Bethel since Bethel was the place where the Israelites had gotten wrong with Him by worshipping idols. Jacob’s return to God at Bethel provided a good example for the Israelites to get right with Him there too.