It has been interesting to visit Genesis again this January and look at the chronological writings comparing the chapter sequence to the story chronology. For centuries it has been argued that Moses and Moses alone was the author of Genesis. Many theologians today think that there are three or four distinctive writers of Genesis, a book that was handed down as an oral epic through many generations, before it was actually penned in papyrus probably around 900 BC, (although others would say closer to 1400 BC or the time of Moses).
We see in the writings that after Jacob wrestles with God he is renamed Israel. But two chapters later he is referred to as Jacob again. The chapter after that he is named Israel by God...again! Some would argue that this is proof that scripture has errors and is unreliable. If we can wrap our minds around the multi-authorship idea, this is explained by the fact that what we see here is the story as it is related by several authors, compiled as close to chronological order as possible. If we don't examine the writings critically, it is easy to be dissuaded in our beliefs and our faith.
At the same time it is always important to be caught up in the meaning or message of the Scripture MUCH MORE than the origins or literary form.
It is clear to me for instance that God wants us to "wrestle" with the call of God in our lives and to trust that the Creator is much bigger than the issues we face, and that God is ALWAYS ready, in Divine grace, to forgive us and bring us back. Praise God for God's amazing love!
Just some thoughts....
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