Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/288

270 something. The Bible calls it a man; but this may be for want of a better term. Tradition has come to call it an angel (cf. Hosea XII, 5), and perhaps it was that. But if so, the story in Genesis gives no hint thereof. We know only that it was something powerful and eager to conquer. Yet it could be conquered, too; by morning dawn it could be overcome. And if once overcome, it could be made to bestow blessing. What could it have been?

May we not say that it was Jacob's other self, his wicked, selfish, earthly nature, with which he strove during the entire night? We have learned that man is the child of two worlds, of earth and heaven. His body is of the dust, but his spirit is inbreathed by God Himself. Ever these two natures strive within him for the mastery, until at last one is completely conquered. All through Jacob's life they had striven. At first, in his early years, the earthly nature, which seeks for selfish pleasure and gain had had the upper hand, and it seemed as if the godlike spirit within were completely crushed. But we know that it was not dead, but was only sleeping. Then throughout these twenty long years the two natures had striven earnestly. At first it had seemed as if the divine element would triumph. But in these last six years once more the earthly nature had gained the upper hand. Now had come the moment of the last and most bitter struggle, when complete and final victory or defeat must come for one or the other. All through the night the earthly, selfish nature kept whispering, "Flee now; leave the sheep and cattle to Esau; leave the wives and children to their fate; better that they alone perish, than that thou perish with them. Perhaps thou canst still find rest and peace in some other land. And perhaps thou wilt in time be able to avenge thyself upon Esau. He is a villain, and thou canst expect no good at his hands". But to all this the divine voice within kept answering in ever stronger accents, "They are thy wives and thy children, and they look \n