Jacob Israel

Genesis 32:22-31 (The Message)

 22-23 During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He got them safely across the brook along with all his possessions.

 24-25 But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint.

 26 The man said, "Let me go; it's daybreak."

   Jacob said, "I'm not letting you go 'til you bless me."

 27 The man said, "What's your name?"

   He answered, "Jacob."

 28 The man said, "But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it's Israel (God-Wrestler); you've wrestled with God and you've come through."

 29 Jacob asked, "And what's your name?"

   The man said, "Why do you want to know my name?" And then, right then and there, he blessed him.

 30 Jacob named the place Peniel (God's Face) because, he said, "I saw God face-to-face and lived to tell the story!"

 31-32 The sun came up as he left Peniel, limping because of his hip.

Here is Jacob, in our Bible story for this coming Sunday (Proper 13, Year A), having departed from his years with Uncle Laban, now headed back toward his home country to meet with his brother Esau. Rightfully, he is dreading the wrath of Esau even after all these years, and he knows that Esau is coming toward him with a large company. So, during the night he has taken his own family, and servants, and all that he has, across the river where they will be safe if Esau’s forces attack while it is dark.

Jacob is alone now as a mysterious being appears and wrestles with him throughout the night. Neither one can overpower the other. As day begins to break, the stranger must leave, stirring mystery about who he might be. Perhaps it’s the angel of God, even God’s own self. For the ages, mystery becomes wonder as the stranger changes Jacob’s name to Israel (Isra-El: struggled with God), and disappears into the dawn.

We are meant to perceive that Jacob, now Israel, has truly had a personal encounter with God, struggled with God all night long. Perhaps in prayer, perhaps in conscience, perhaps in a vision, a dream; but nevertheless. That he is left with a limp suggests that the encounter was real, very real indeed.

The wonderful story tells us how and why Jacob came to be called Isra-El. And now we also know why this place is called Peni-El, which means I have seen God face to face and lived to tell about it.

Dawn brings a day of peace for Jacob.

May dawn also open a day of peace for you.

And may all Israel have peace in your lifetime.

Shalom.

TW+