Twins

פְּנִיאֵל   

Peniel

פְּנוּאֵל

Penuel

So Jacob called the place Peniel (that is, The Face of God), saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. (Genesis 32:30,31, NRSV).

This morning we have our Adult Sunday School class meeting for August, perhaps there will be a moment to ask why the story says “Peniel” in verse 30 and then “Penuel” in verse 31. As shown above, the Hebrew is slightly different. The second instance reads אֶת-פְּנוּאֵל ath-Penuel.  

Jacob was one of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca --  comes to mind this morning as heartstrings are tugged at news that Israel has declared the death of 2nd Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, killed in action. At first he was thought to have been captured by Hamas troops. Goldin, 23, was engaged to be married. As the family waited for news, Hadar’s fiancee’ Edna said, “I love you and I miss you. I’m waiting for you, waiting to dance at our wedding.” His twin brother Tzur also serves with IDF.

Meanwhile, war goes on. A photo this morning shows a Palestinian youth carrying pieces of the Koran from the ruins of a bombed mosque in Gaza.

Prayer: for the consolation of broken hearts and for the Peace of Jerusalem.

W+